Butte-Silver Bow Introduces AI Assistant on County Website
Butte-Silver Bow County in Montana has launched an innovative tool to enhance its digital interactions with the public. In an effort to streamline citizen engagement and provide more immediate access to information, the county has introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant named "Copper" on its official website. With the capacity to operate around the clock, this AI helper is designed to field inquiries and direct users to the appropriate resources or offices if it lacks direct answers.
Accessible from the county's homepage, located at https://co.silverbow.mt.us/, Copper emerges in the bottom right corner of the screen. Featuring a user-friendly interface, Copper is represented by a waving, smiling Sasquatch icon that stands small yet distinct on mobile devices. Users can interact with Copper by simply clicking or tapping the icon, prompting them to type their questions into a dialogue box.
The introduction of Copper marks a significant step for the county, which has partnered with Citibot, a company based in Charleston, South Carolina, that specialises in developing AI solutions tailored for local governments. At a cost of $5,500 for the first year, this technology promises to improve public service by answering queries in as many as 71 languages.
J.P. Gallagher, the chief executive of Butte-Silver Bow, highlighted during a discussion with commissioners that the AI's ability to "learn as it goes" will significantly benefit users. Gallagher encouraged exploration of the new feature by stating, "I encourage you to go onto the website and hit our little bot. His name is Copper."
This initiative isn't entirely without precedent in the county. An earlier version of Copper was utilised, though it often fell short, necessitating manual intervention from project manager Lyndsay Alt. According to Alt, the previous system frequently routed even basic queries to her via email due to its limitations.
Copper's enhanced capabilities mean it can now either directly answer questions or guide users to where they might find appropriate answers. For instance, when questioned about the number of commissioners, Copper provided a link to the Council of Commissioners page after offering a partial response. Additionally, it efficiently supplied information on topics such as water bill payments and regulations regarding animals in public spaces.
Nevertheless, Copper exhibits caution when it comes to providing direct contact details for specific county employees, often suggesting general office contact points or directing users to third-party resources. This approach aligns with privacy considerations while maintaining community access to necessary information.
A forthcoming upgrade promises to further improve the AI assistant's capabilities. Soon, users encountering unanswered questions will have the option to click a "message" link, allowing them to forward their queries to county employees. This feature will require users to provide their name, mobile number, and email, ensuring a follow-up through phone or email by the relevant county official.
Copper’s deployment marks a transformative step for Butte-Silver Bow, aiming to bridge the gap between the county's services and its residents, enhancing user experience and administrative efficiency in the process.
Source: Noah Wire Services