Swindon Council: Simply Readable, an AI Easy-Read Solution

Introduction& Relevance To Social Housing

The Swindon Borough Council case study offers valuable lessons on leveraging AI for operational efficiency and social inclusion. The implementation of the “Simply Readable” AI solution shows how technology can streamline processes and reduce costs, directly freeing up time for more tenant-focused work. This case also highlights the strategic benefits of AI innovation in promoting accessibility and inclusivity while achieving impressive ROI. Swindon’s collaborative development approach and effective governance provide a robust model for introducing AI tools that align with the broader goals of enhancing resident services and operational efficiency in social housing.

Implementation of AI Solutions

Swindon Borough Council’s “Simply Readable” AI solution was developed to address the high cost and inefficiency of creating accessible documents for residents with learning disabilities. The AI tool reduced production costs from £120 per page to less than 1p, while also cutting down the time needed to create these documents from weeks to under 30 minutes. This showcases how AI can significantly reduce administrative burdens, allowing more resources to be directed towards tenant services.

Strategic Benefits

“Simply Readable” offers clear strategic advantages by making complex information accessible to residents with learning disabilities while also supporting non-native English speakers and individuals with lower literacy levels. The 749,900% ROI achieved highlights the transformative impact of AI when applied strategically. This aligns with goals in social housing to enhance service accessibility while optimising operational costs.

Challenges and Mitigation

Swindon’s strong governance framework, including AI ethics boards and risk management processes, ensured that the introduction of “Simply Readable” was both safe and effective. For Bob and Sally, this layered governance approach underscores the importance of proactively addressing risks and ensuring ethical AI use, offering a clear path for integrating similar solutions in their organisation.

Overview 

Swindon Borough Council boasts a forward-thinking approach to technology. Their dedicated Emerging Technology team has leveraged AI for several years, delivering cutting-edge solutions that address service-area challenges. The council first considered AI over five years ago and has continued to trial and innovate with AI, recently deploying a solution to cut thei...