A special board to keep tabs on the use of artificial intelligence by Norfolk County Council has been set up - with some councillors wary about the use of the technology.
The Conservative-controlled council is already using artificial intelligence to analyse data and predict where early intervention in social care is needed, such as identifying people who are at risk of falling.
The council is also looking at using the technology to spot people at risk of loneliness but has set up a governance board to assess any new approaches the council takes.
The authority is also exploring how artificial intelligence can help cut costs and free up staff to do other tasks, such as by using chatbots to respond to queries from the public.
Tesla and Space X boss Elon Musk recently said, during a recorded conversation with prime minister Rishi Sunak following the government's AI safety summit, that "there will come a point where no job is needed" and the only reason people will work will be for their own satisfaction.
But Geoff Connell, the county council's director of digital services, stressed: "I don't see this technology being used completely on its own. I don't see it replacing staff. I see it complementing staff, helping them to take away the more repetitive things they do."
Conservative county councillor Stuart Clancy said artificial intelligence was "definitely where the future is" but, at a meeting of the council's corporate select committee, expressed some concerns.
He said: "There's a lot of people out there who don't use technology and are very nervous about technology.
"Unfortunately these people are potentially slipping through the net. It's not their fault and it's not the council's fault, but in reality it is happening."
He said the council needed to be "wary" and be aware that chatbots are not always a substitute for speaking to a real person.
Jane James, cabinet member for corporate services and innovation, said: "The bottom line is that artificial intelligence is here. It's here to stay, it's not going anywhere and it's going to continue to evolve.
"We need to be at the forefront of that to ensure any opportunities that come along are maximised to the benefit of our residents, but also being respectful of their rights as individuals."
