Siheung City has embarked on an ambitious endeavor to revolutionize its public welfare services through the adoption of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The city government was successfully chosen as the main organization to spearhead the ‘Gyeonggi Province AI Demonstration Support Project’ facilitated by Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggi Institute of Science & Technology Promotion. This selection has secured the city a grant of 300 million South Korean won from provincial funds.
Commencing this month and spanning across six months until December, Siheung City will engage in a palpable AI demonstration support initiative, aiming to innovate public services and provide solutions for social issues. Central to Siheung City’s strategy is the development of an AI customer service system focused on welfare, addressing constituents’ concerns and inquiries.
To achieve this, the Siheung City Information and Communication Department is forming a consortium with various participating institutions. They plan to develop a small-sized Large Language Model (sLLM)-based generative information-providing engine, capable of interacting with visitors through the Siheung City official website. The custom-tailored AI service will facilitate two-way communication between the service users and the administration.
The launch of this AI system is poised to not only streamline work processes for public welfare officers but also to enhance their search capabilities regarding welfare policy-related administrative data. Looking ahead, Siheung City aims to analyze the outcomes of this pilot project and consider extending the advanced AI applications to other areas of administrative services, such as health, transportation, tourism, and culture.
Spearheaded by Kim Do-yeong, the head of Siheung City’s Information and Communication Department, there is a strong sentiment that the integration of generative AI technology will not only customize welfare benefits for the citizens more conveniently and accurately but also extend these to include vulnerable social groups and bridge welfare gaps. The project is anticipated to significantly boost the administration’s reliability through quick and precise responses to public inquiries and support requests.
It appears that Siheung City’s initiative to incorporate AI into their public welfare services is part of a larger trend towards smart city development, where urban areas leverage technology to improve the efficiency of services and the quality of life for their citizens.
Key questions and answers associated with the topic:
- What is the purpose of Siheung City’s AI project?
The purpose of the AI project in Siheung City is to innovate public services, provide solutions for social issues, and improve the efficiency of public welfare services through the use of generative AI technology.
- How is the project funded?
Siheung City was awarded a grant of 300 million South Korean won by Gyeonggi Province as part of the ‘Gyeonggi Province AI Demonstration Support Project’.
- What will the AI system do?
The AI system will act as a customer service interface on the Siheung City official website, answering constituent queries and providing information on welfare policies. It is designed to streamline communication between citizens and the administration.
- Who is leading Siheung City’s AI initiative?
Kim Do-yeong, the head of Siheung City’s Information and Communication Department, is spearheading this initiative.
Key challenges or controversies:
One of the possible challenges in implementing AI in public welfare services is ensuring the protection of personal and sensitive data. As AI systems require access to vast amounts of data to operate efficiently, there is a risk of data breaches or misuse if adequate privacy measures are not in place.
Another potential controversy could revolve around the displacement of human workers. As the AI system enhances efficiency, concerns may arise over the potential for it to replace jobs currently done by public welfare officers.
Advantages and disadvantages:
- Advantages:
- Enhances the efficiency and responsiveness of public services.
- Provides more tailored welfare benefits to citizens, potentially improving their satisfaction.
- Facilitates inclusivity by reaching out to vulnerable social groups.
- Disadvantages:
- Possible privacy concerns and data security risks.
- Risk of job displacement for certain administrative roles.
- The initial investment and ongoing maintenance costs for implementing AI technology.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Roman Rember
Quelle/Source: Elblog, 10.06.2024
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