Camburg are fighting for a digital town hall – where is the AI ​​help?

Camburg are fighting for a digital town hall – where is the AI ​​help?

In Camburg, the city's digitization projects are in the starting blocks, but the road to a digital town hall is rocky. Carl Krumbholz, an important local player, says that there is still a long way to go before the city can fully exploit the digital possibilities. A lack of financial resources for hardware and software as well as technical support from a system administrator hinders progress, such as MDR reported. A lack of time to train employees to use new applications also contributes to digital progress progressing more slowly than desired.

However, a forward-looking step is the development of AI-based software by the Digital Ministry, which will make it possible to create applications from paper templates. This innovation could theoretically make administration much easier. Nevertheless, there are also critical voices: Peter Kleine, Mayor of Weimar, is skeptical about the project and thinks that it is important to question the viability of such solutions. There is a risk that forms filled out digitally in the administration will then be printed out again, a problem that is already known when applying for Bafög in the Free State.

The opportunities of artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) has found its way into today's world and is used in many applications in everyday life, such as route planning or weather forecasting. Loud Data port AI-based applications can solve problems independently and take on recurring tasks, freeing up valuable time for administrative employees to focus on more complex issues. The introduction of such systems could not only increase efficiency, but also benefit citizens, for example by using chatbots to guide them through administrative portals and reduce waiting times.

Still, dependence on major technology providers such as Microsoft, Google and Amazon, which together control 75 percent of the public cloud market, is considered risky. These companies are only partially subject to German data protection, which could jeopardize the protection of sensitive data. It is therefore particularly important for municipalities to develop alternative solutions that guarantee their digital sovereignty.

A path into the digital future

A recently published study by the “AI in Municipalities” (#KoKI) initiative underlines the need for further efforts in the area of ​​digitalization and the use of AI in local administration. This study highlights not only the many opportunities that AI offers for local life, but also the fears associated with it and the need to manage these technologies well ethically and legally. Strengthening data and AI competence in administrations as well as an adaptable regulatory framework are crucial for the success of these technologies.

A common understanding of artificial intelligence and its acceptance in society will be essential for the successful implementation of these digital strategies. The digitalization of municipal services of general interest must be promoted in order to meet the requirements of modern administration.