David LawrenceLDRS and
Tanya GuptaBBC News, West Midlands
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The pilot AI scheme took place in the children’s services department
A £500,000 contract a council has with a US technology company is under review, the authority has confirmed.
It comes after Coventry City Council came under fire over its deal with Palantir, because of the firm’s operations in Israel.
A written question, submitted by independent councillor Grace Lewis at Tuesday’s full council meeting, urged the authority not to renew the contract and said Palantir had attracted “significant public concern”.
The council confirmed the contract was being assessed, but said it was “always an initial 12-month pilot project that was to be reviewed”. Palantir said it had been excited to help the council and the technology offered “huge potential”.
The pilot AI scheme took place in the children’s services department, where the technology was used to transcribe notes and summarise social workers’ records.
A contract renewal would see Palantir support the team working with children with special educational needs.
‘Strong criticisms’
In her submission Lewis, who left the Labour Party this summer, wrote: “Coventry City Council signed a £500,000 contract with Palantir, a company that has attracted significant public concern over its work in defence, surveillance and policing, including its role in Israel’s genocide in Palestine.”
She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “The contract has drawn strong criticisms from myself as a local councillor, as well as local unions, campaigners and Zarah Sultana MP.
“This is not only because of Palantir’s involvement in the defence industry but also because the council have been making cuts to vital services.”
Palantir has said it was not true it was supporting AI-assisted targeting in Israel. However, the company has confirmed it has a contract with the Israeli Defense Forces.
Genocide scholars have declared Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, but the UN and several Western nations have said they will only consider a ruling by a court as authoritative.
Ellie Brown
Coventry City Council said the pilot project was always going to be reviewed
A council spokeswoman said the authority used a recognised government framework to ensure transparency and value for money and to follow procurement legislations.
She said: “Palantir was on this national framework and was awarded a contract following a competitive process.
“This was always an initial 12-month pilot project that was to be reviewed to assess its impact. That review is under way.”
The Palantir spokesman said technology could enable social workers to spend less time on paperwork and more time supporting children who are vulnerable or have special needs.
He said: “The early signs are extremely promising, showing the potential for a significant reduction in the admin burden.”