Amid growing concerns about artificial intelligence replacing human jobs in government sectors, the City of Stirling has moved to reassure residents that AI won't be taking control of the public purse strings anytime soon.
The clarification comes as local governments across Australia increasingly explore technological solutions to improve efficiency and service delivery.
Human Decision-Makers Remain in Charge
City of Stirling chief executive Stuart Jardine confirmed that while the council is embracing technological advancements, artificial intelligence will serve as a supplementary tool rather than a replacement for human judgment in financial matters.
'AI is not running our budgets,' Mr Jardine stated emphatically. 'What we're doing is using AI to help improve the processes we already have.'
Current AI Applications in Local Government
The council is already leveraging artificial intelligence in several areas to enhance service delivery:
- Processing development applications more efficiently
- Analysing community feedback and submissions
- Identifying patterns in service requests
- Optimising resource allocation based on data trends
These applications represent what Mr Jardine describes as 'augmented intelligence' rather than full automation, where AI supports human decision-making without replacing it.
Addressing Public Concerns About Automation
The council's position responds to increasing community anxiety about artificial intelligence potentially displacing human workers in critical public service roles.
'There's a lot of community concern about AI taking over people's jobs,' Mr Jardine acknowledged during a recent council briefing.
He emphasised that the City of Stirling's approach focuses on using technology to handle routine tasks, freeing up staff to concentrate on more complex, value-added work that requires human judgment and local knowledge.
The Future of AI in Perth's Local Governance
While ruling out AI-controlled budgets, the council remains committed to exploring responsible technology adoption. The approach mirrors trends in other Western Australian local governments, where AI is being integrated cautiously into administrative processes.
The City of Stirling's position represents a measured approach to technological adoption, balancing efficiency gains with the preservation of human oversight in matters affecting community finances and services.
