The trial at South Norfolk Council and Broadland Council will cost around £150,000 to run for one year with a view to it being installed permanently.

The AI software will be used online and over the phone to provide automated responses to "routine enquiries" in order to cut costs and create a "smoother" customer experience.

However, some councillors raised concerns about the technology being "more irritating" for taxpayers than speaking with a real person and urged caution with its implementation.

Phone calls to South........

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