Universities across the UK have trialled AI, but only a few have turned pilots into measurable change. This article provides insights from ICS.AI’s Higher Education AI Transformation Webinar with Derby City Council, Jisc and Microsoft, showing how a unified platform approach delivers scale, governance and results - illustrated by Derby’s £7.5m identified savings - and outlines practical next steps, including a free SMART: Unified AI for All Test Drive.

ICS.AI extends its proven AI transformation programme to UK universities, offering a £5M savings guarantee amid the £1.4B sector funding shortfall.

ICS.AI proudly sponsored Derby City Council’s Here for Derby Awards 2025, celebrating the outstanding achievements of Team Derby and the #TeamDerby Award win for the Digital Development Team and ICS.AI partnership, transforming services through AI innovation.

ICS.AI survey finds 77% of UK students rely on free AI tools, with nearly half feeling disadvantaged. Calls grow for universities to bridge the AI gap.

Derby City Council, in partnership with ICS.AI, has launched the UK’s first public sector generative AI phone assistant. The new voice-powered Darcie supports ten languages, operates 24/7, and is already transforming how residents access council services - reducing switchboard demand, improving accessibility and bridging the AI adoption gap.