Aberdeen City Council has signed a high-level agreement with technology corporation Microsoft to formalise a working relationship that is already transforming public services in the city.
As part of the collaboration, the council will explore connecting to Microsoft Research Projects, with a focus on encouraging sustainable to help combat climate change.
Goals include developing an app to help residents save on energy consumption and modernising Aberdeen’s housing stock as part of a national retrofit programme.
Council leader Councillor Alex Nicoll said: "To join forces with Microsoft at a strategic level will ensure that Aberdeen remains at the forefront of digital innovation.
“The agreement reflects our desire to partner the world’s best in not only redesigning services but in becoming a Climate Positive City.
“The adoption of emerging technology is improving residents’ lives whilst delivering necessary savings at time of increasing financial pressure for the public sector.”
The Council is already pioneering low carbon technology, with a range of electric and hydrogen fleet vehicles and two refuelling stations, LED street lighting, and district heating connections for public buildings and council housing.
It is aiming to achieve net zero corporate carbon emissions by 2045 at the latest, with interim targets of a reduction of at least 48% by 2025 and a reduction of at least 75% by 2030.
Andy MacDonald, Director of Customer Services, said: “The council’s relationship with Microsoft is founded on a shared desire to build services around residents’ needs, and this high-level agreement broadens that aspiration.
“We will be even better placed to harness technology to manage demand with respect to energy consumption, giving residents greater control over their own carbon footprint and household spend.
“For both the council and Microsoft, success is measured in positive community outcomes.”
Over the last three years, the council has worked with Microsoft to digitise customer processes, making them more effective, efficient and secure.
This includes bringing social care data together in one place, where staff and partner agencies can readily analyse information, allowing practitioners to predict and so prevent problems.
With Microsoft’s support, the council has also deployed chatbots to guide residents to information 24/7 about everything from refuse collection to council tax.
Photograph shows Council Co-Leader Alex Nicoll (left) with Musidora Jorgensen, Chief Sustainability Officer, Microsoft.