Overview
Frankston City Council, based on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, wanted to explore how AI could support digital transformation but lacked internal expertise. Partnering with AI expert Simon Kriss, they created a structured, experiment-first program that transformed curiosity into confidence.
Problem
- No AI-trained staff or clear adoption guidelines.
- Uncertainty about where to begin exploring AI.
- Desire to approach the trend responsibly and ethically.
- Time pressures and day-to-day workloads limiting innovation.
Key Benefits
Ethical AI Framework
Clear guidelines and safe tools.
Embedded Learning Cohort
10-member internal AI learning group.
Experiment-First Mindset
Measurable pilot projects over theory.
Capability Building
From theoretical awareness to daily use.
Testimonials
“Simon brought patience and a practical, accessible approach to the work. He broke down complex concepts into engaging, bite-sized learning modules and went above and beyond to support staff.”
Shweta Babbar
Director of Customer Innovation & Arts
Solution
Ethical AI framework for staff.
Embedded learning cohort with hands-on prototyping.
Ongoing mentorship and AI literacy sessions.
Early pilots: ‘Halsey’ (customer-service bot), ‘Ava’ (internal EBA tool).
Results
‘Halsey’ reducing inbound queries and boosting self-service.
Ava’ saving staff hours weekly.
Teams now proactively testing and using AI.
Executive interest and cross-departmental adoption rising.
