AI Statement

Our approach to using artificial intelligence responsibly and transparently

Our Position on AI

At Coalface Engagement, we believe artificial intelligence is a powerful tool that, when used responsibly, can enhance the quality and efficiency of planning consultation and political analysis. However, we recognize that AI has limitations and must always be deployed thoughtfully and transparently.

This statement sets out how we use AI in our work and the principles that guide our approach.

Guiding Principles

Augmentation, Not Replacement

AI tools support our expert analysis and political intelligence. They do not replace human judgment, local knowledge, or strategic thinking.

Transparency

We are clear about when and how AI is used in our work. All AI-generated content is reviewed, verified, and refined by our experienced team.

Human-Centered

Planning is fundamentally about people and places. AI helps us work more efficiently, but human expertise drives our insights and recommendations.

How We Use AI

We use AI tools in specific, limited ways to support our work:

  • Data Analysis: AI helps us process large volumes of planning committee data, voting patterns, and policy documents more efficiently.
  • Research Support: AI tools assist with literature reviews, identifying relevant precedents, and summarizing complex documents.
  • Drafting Assistance: AI may help generate initial drafts of routine content, which is always thoroughly reviewed, edited, and refined by our team.
  • Technical Operations: AI powers some features of our Council Scanner tool, helping to identify patterns and trends in planning decisions.

What AI Does Not Do

There are clear limits to how we use AI:

  • AI does not make strategic recommendations or political judgments
  • AI does not conduct stakeholder engagement or community consultation
  • AI does not replace our expert analysis of planning applications or policy
  • AI does not make decisions about how we advise clients
  • Client data is never used to train AI models without explicit consent

Quality Assurance

All work that involves AI assistance goes through rigorous quality control:

  • Expert review of all AI-generated content
  • Fact-checking and verification of information
  • Assessment of political context and local nuance
  • Validation against our professional standards
  • Client approval of final deliverables

Data Protection and Privacy

We take data protection seriously when using AI tools:

  • We comply with UK GDPR and data protection legislation
  • Client confidential information is protected and not shared with third-party AI services
  • We use secure, enterprise-grade AI tools with appropriate data handling agreements
  • Personal data is only processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy

Ongoing Commitment

AI technology is rapidly evolving, and our approach will continue to develop. We commit to:

  • Regularly reviewing and updating this statement
  • Staying informed about AI developments and best practices
  • Being transparent with clients about our use of AI
  • Listening to feedback and concerns about AI in our work
  • Maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards

Questions or Concerns?

If you have questions about how we use AI or concerns about any aspect of our approach, please get in touch:

info@coalfaceengagement.co.uk

This statement was last updated on 13 January 2026.