Leveraging AI for a Smarter ‘Back to Work’ Plan: A Call for Action in the March Budget

As the UK braces for the forthcoming March budget, a Doncaster-based company Automated Analytics, is making a plea to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel Stride to amplify the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into their ‘Back to Work’ Plan.

Originally introduced during the Autumn Statement, this initiative aims to tackle unemployment and enhance public sector productivity. Automated Analytics, founded in 2013, envisions AI as a transformative force in achieving these goals, particularly in regions like Doncaster and the North-East.

The heart of their proposal lies in the belief that the UK government stands on the cusp of a ground-breaking AI-driven ‘Back to Work’ program. While AI technology has long been harnessed by the private sector, its application in the public sector remains largely untapped. Automated Analytics advocates for a shift, emphasising AI as a tool rather than a standalone solution in the employment landscape.

Our concept of a ‘Back to Work’ programme is currently under discussion as a pilot with the City of Doncaster Council.

This pilot would utilise our advanced technology to enhance the job-seeking process and facilitate employment opportunities for job seekers in Doncaster and the wider area.

My company is well placed to support the Government in this manner.

We have over a decade of success in supporting some of the world’s biggest companies and brands adopt our proprietary technology-driven solution to reduce recruitment costs and improve call analysis including British Gas in the UK and McDonalds and Pizza Hut in the US.

Whilst the private sector has reaped the benefits to date, this technology is readily available for the government to adopt and implement quickly, at scale in a sustainable manner.”

The partnership between Automated Analytics and the City of Doncaster Council serves as a testament to the viability of AI in local governance.

Mark Taylor, CEO, Automated Analytics

Using conversion data generated by tracking the source to hire of every candidate, TalentTrack’s AI programmatic model generates a higher volume of better-quality candidates. By optimizing advertisements for the most cost-effective bid times, TalentTrack ensures budgets are focused on attracting and quickly hiring quality applicants.

The potential for AI in Local Government sector is vast, from streamlining processes to improving service delivery and decision making.

By partnering with Automated Analytics, we can tap into their expertise and technology to explore innovative solutions for us.

We see real benefits but we don’t take these steps into AI lightly, we must tread carefully, but boldly, acting responsibly and ensuring that it aligns with our values and serves the best interests of our citizens but we are excited to see where this partnership will take us. “We are dedicated to constantly learning and evolving as we continue on this journey towards a ‘smarter’ future, whilst always focusing on how we can support our people, places and planet to thrive.

Damian Allen, CEO, Doncaster Council

The proposed AI-driven ‘Back to Work’ program offers benefits. By harnessing AI algorithms, job seekers can receive personalised career guidance and connect with suitable employment opportunities more efficiently.

Real-time data analysis of the job market enables informed decision-making for both job seekers and employers. Moreover, the program promises to address social inequalities by facilitating access to employment for marginalised individuals.

The integration of AI into the ‘Back to Work’ Plan presents a compelling opportunity to redefine the future of employment initiatives in the UK.

With the backing of innovative companies like Automated Analytics and forward-thinking local councils such as Doncaster, the government has the potential to unlock unprecedented efficiencies and foster inclusive economic growth.

As the March budget approaches, the call for prioritising AI investment in the ‘Back to Work’ agenda grows louder—a call for a smarter, more equitable future.