Sam Smith
Director of Institute , SocitmSam has recently taken up a position as Director of the newly launched Socitm Institute.
Previously, she led a shared IT service working across two Councils in the East of England. Managing shared services of different types and sizes has been a feature of her professional life. It has given her an incredibly rich view of local government in England and enabled her to share her learning with others who are embarking on the journey.
IT & Digital services are enablers for Councils and as Service Director she was passionate about getting the best out of them for the benefit of the Councils that she supported. She worked hard to make and retain relationships at all levels of the business and this gave me a comprehensive view of service needs which informs her strategic thinking and direction.
Throughout her career she has been keen to share experiences and collaborate across the public sector. Socitm has given her the opportunity to do this at regional and national levels. She has been involved with Socitm since 2016, first through the regional committee, then as Vice President and most recently as President (2020-22). She lead the 'Regeneration, sustainability and connectivity' policy theme.
My Speaker Sessions
Thursday 10 September 2026
From strategy to reality: Implementing AI in local government
Artificial intelligence is moving rapidly from theory to practice, presenting councils with new opportunities to improve services, increase productivity and support better decision-making. But how can local authorities move beyond the hype and implement AI in ways that deliver real value while managing risk and maintaining public trust?
In this practical session, we will explore how councils are currently using AI, the lessons emerging from early adopters and the key considerations for successful implementation. Delegates will gain valuable insights into the opportunities, challenges and leadership decisions that will shape the future use of AI across local government.
