Paula Claytonsmith Re-enters Highways Arena with Focus on Advanced AI Research

Paula Claytonsmith, the former chief executive of the Local Council Roads Innovation Group (LCRIG), has made a return to the highways sector and is taking on a leading role in a new research initiative examining the future use of advanced artificial intelligence in local transport networks.

After stepping away from her LCRIG position last year to prioritise her health, Claytonsmith has now resumed professional activity, confirming via social media that she is easing back into the sector. In her announcement, she expressed gratitude for the support she received during her time away and emphasised that she intends to take a measured approach as she returns to work.

Her first major assignment sees her appointed as a research theme lead within the Future Highways Research Group (FHRG), which is affiliated with ADEPT. The project she is overseeing will investigate the practical and strategic implications of what is being described as “assignable and agentic AI” within highway authorities.

The study will explore how semi-autonomous AI systems — capable of carrying out delegated tasks within defined parameters and escalating decisions when required — might be deployed across local authority operations. It will assess both the potential efficiencies and the associated risks of integrating such systems into highways management.

Claytonsmith is expected to collaborate with a small number of local authorities during the research phase. A progress update is anticipated in September, including initial findings and proposed next steps. Further details about the broader research programme, including possible involvement from Tier One contractors, are expected to follow.

Preliminary briefing material indicates the research will consider issues such as implementation costs, cybersecurity exposure, governance challenges and the reliability of AI systems under atypical conditions. It will also examine wider structural concerns, including accountability, regulatory alignment and the risk of unintended consequences in safety-critical environments.