A practical, hands-on workshop delivered via Microsoft Teams designed for officer teams who want to use AI more confidently, efficiently and responsibly in their day-to-day roles.
Building on the themes introduced in the March masterclass, this session focuses on the real-world application of AI across local government work — moving beyond theory into practical techniques that participants can use immediately.
Participants will explore how AI can support tasks such as drafting reports, creating briefings, summarising information, preparing communications and developing presentations, while also understanding the limits of AI and the importance of professional judgement and quality control.
The workshop is interactive throughout, using realistic examples and live demonstrations tailored to common officer tasks.
Who the workshop is for
Suitable for:
- Officers and managers
- Transformation and improvement teams
- Policy and strategy teams
- Communications teams
- PMO and corporate services staff
No technical background is required.
Workshop overview
Suggested duration: 3.5 hours
The session will cover:
- Where AI can genuinely help in council work — and where it cannot
- How effective prompting improves the quality and usefulness of AI outputs
- The difference between weak prompts and well-structured professional instructions
- Using AI to create practical first drafts, including:
- reports
- briefings
- action plans
- communications materials
- Quality control, accountability and human oversight
- Responsible and safe use of AI in a public sector environment
- Live examples, discussion and practical exercises
- Simple next steps for building confidence and capability
What participants will gain
By the end of the workshop, participants will:
- Understand how to use AI more deliberately and effectively
- Be able to write clearer, more structured prompts
- Learn practical ways to save time while maintaining quality
- Recognise common risks and limitations of AI-generated content
- Build confidence using AI as a professional support tool rather than a replacement for judgement
About the trainer
The workshop is led by James Wickham, an experienced Digital Transformation Consultant with a strong track record of leading digital, data and service improvement work across Local Government and the wider public sector.
James provides bespoke digital transformation consultancy to public sector, third sector and private sector organisations. His recent work includes leading Adult Social Care front door digitisation for a London-based council, delivering ICT and digital reviews for multiple councils, and supporting digital and data maturity assessments alongside procurement transformation programmes.
Prior to establishing his consultancy, James held senior roles with Socitm Advisory, Richmond and Wandsworth Councils and Lewisham Council. Across these roles, he led cloud modernisation, ICT strategy, applications rationalisation, security and compliance initiatives, and major business transformation programmes.
His experience includes helping organisations:
- Define practical digital and ICT roadmaps
- Implement modern cloud and collaboration platforms
- Improve service delivery through digital tools and redesign
- Align technology investment with organisational priorities
- Strengthen governance, security and digital capability
James brings a practical, grounded approach that combines strategic thinking with hands-on delivery experience across complex public sector environments.
Areas of expertise include:
- Cloud and digital strategy across local government and public services
- User-centred service design and digital roadmap development
- Programme and project management for complex transformation initiatives
- Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Power Platform, Azure and AWS advisory expertise
- Data strategy, digital maturity assessment and service improvement planning
- Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) Foundation and Practitioner
- PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner
- ITIL Foundation
- ILM Level 5 in Leadership and Management
Format
The workshop combines:
- Practical demonstrations
- Realistic council-focused examples
- Interactive discussion
- Hands-on prompting exercises
- Group reflection and Q&A
The emphasis throughout is on practical application, professional judgement and responsible use of AI within a public sector context.