CommunityAI, a data-driven platform that leverages procurement supply chains to deliver social impact as a dynamic engine for corporate growth and community success, has launched in the UK. This advanced technology, driven by AI, is helping private corporations rethink the way they buy goods and services to drive positive change for local communities whilst delivering business growth.
CommunityAI is a technology platform that acts like a smart guide, mapping out local suppliers and showing private sector business exactly where and how they can make a difference. Through objective, data-driven analysis, the platform also tracks the positive impact of their purchases, offering real-time insights and measurable results that go beyond profit, helping businesses prove they’re contributing to stronger, fairer communities. Instead of sourcing goods and services from distant suppliers with little local impact, the platform empowers companies to buy from local businesses, social enterprises, and diverse suppliers, boosting local economies and creating social value.
Proven success in the US, working with organisations in both the public and private sector, including local government, healthcare providers, universities, and large corporations, are already using the platform to create smarter, more responsible supply chains has led to a launch within the UK.
Paul Polizzotto, Founder of CommunityAI said, “We’re excited to bring our knowledge and expertise to the UK. Procurement can be a powerful tool for social change — but only if organisations have the tools and data to act with intention. We provide those insights in real time, showing not just who to buy from, but how that spend is making a difference.”
Manny Diaz, former Mayor of Miami, commented: “I had the good fortune of partnering with Paul Polizzotto and together, we created a partnership that joined the public and private sectors to create a better future for Miamians, at no cost to our taxpayers. Our award-winning partnership became a nationally renowned model, and I am excited with the prospect of the program’s adoption in Europe and the rest of world.”
Birmingham City Council has now enlisted Community AI to pilot the scheme to unlock new, voluntary funding – pioneering this new model of community investment with the NHS and Tees Valley Authority following suit. The pilot programme represents an innovative approach to social and economic development, enabling Birmingham to generate community investment without incurring costs or financial risks to the Council. Instead, the model enables voluntary supplier contributions from the private sector to align with identified local priorities, ensuring that investment directly supports the city’s social value ambitions. It supports Birmingham’s efforts to explore new, innovative procurement models that deliver social and economic benefits for communities, helping the city demonstrate leadership in inclusive growth despite current financial challenges.
Councillor Sharon Thompson, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council & Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, commented: “This partnership with Community AI enables us to bring new funding into our communities without any cost to the taxpayer. It’s a creative, forward-thinking solution that supports our social value ambitions while strengthening the impact of our procurement work. I’m proud that Birmingham is leading the way in adopting innovative models that put people and communities first.”
Paul Polizzotto, Founder of CommunityAI said, added: “We are proud to support Birmingham in this groundbreaking pilot. Our COMMUNITY VALUE™ framework ensures supplier contributions are directed where they will have the greatest verified impact. This is about enabling businesses and local government to collaborate in delivering measurable value to communities – without adding cost to the public purse.
Community AI’s COMMUNITY VALUE™ framework is a transparent, data-driven tool that maps verified local priorities, ensuring that supplier contributions address real-world needs and generate measurable social outcomes. This model strengthens supplier engagement and ensures that contributions are channelled to initiatives that deliver authentic community benefits.
The pilot will run as a non-binding agreement, giving Birmingham the chance to test and refine the model before considering wider rollout. Community AI will support the Council as an independent partner, helping to drive innovation in social value and procurement. The pilot also aligns with Birmingham and Community AI’s presence at UKReiiF (UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum) in Leeds, highlighting the city’s commitment to social innovation and strengthening public-private collaboration
The platform promotes spending with local, diverse, and underrepresented suppliers as well as full transparency on how and where money is being spent and who it helps. It also provides data to support ESG, social value, and public sector reporting.
With the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2021 becoming mandatory in the UK from 2020, local authorities are required to showcase how its procurement processes are having a positive social impact on the community. Therefore, with this one-of-kind technology, CommunityAI is the perfect tool for local authorities to utilise for compliance and showcase its effective social impact for community benefit.
To learn more about how CommunityAI supports values-driven procurement, visit: https://communityai.uk/public-sector.
