Africa-Press – Mauritius. The Government Chatbot, an intelligent virtual assistant aiming to provide seamless access to public services and solutions to citizens’ needs while strengthening connections between Government and the citizens, was launched on Friday 23 June 2023 at Le Meridien Hotel in Pointe aux Piments.
The President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Prithvirajsing Roopun, the Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, Mr Darsanand Balgobin, the Minister of Labour, Human Resource Development and Training, Minister of Commerce and Consumer Protection, Mr Soodesh Callichurn, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Sooroojdev Phokeer, and other personalities were present at the launch.
In his keynote address, President Roopun said that the event was a momentous occasion, as it coincided with the United Nations Public Service Day, where the value and virtue of public service to the community and the world at large was celebrated.
He lauded the remarkable project as well as the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation for the successful implementation of the Government Chatbot which would revolutionise the way citizens interact with governmental agencies.
The President urged the population to make optimum use of the Chatbot and to provide valuable feedback for continuous service improvement. “Mauritius,” underlined Mr Roopun, “with its unflinching commitment to innovate, modernise, and develop, has brought forward a number of technological initiatives.
” He added that Mauritius stood at the top among the 27 economies in Sub-Saharan Africa in the Global Innovation Index and had secured the 45th position globally by gaining a noteworthy seven places.
The President, moreover, highlighted that over the years, the country had emerged as a hub of technological excellence, attracting global talent and fostering an ecosystem conducive to digital innovation. He emphasised the need to continue to invest in research and development and nurture the country’s talent pool.
For his part, Minister Balgobin stated that the launch of the Government Chatbot was another significant milestone towards a more efficient and accessible Government to better serve the citizens, by harnessing the power of technology.
“Our vision is to create a society where the benefits of innovation are accessible to all, where the power of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies becomes a driving force for positive change,” he said.
“The Chatbot,” he underscored, “is testimony of Government’s response to the evolving technological landscape, and its commitment to provide a modern, user-friendly interface that caters to the diverse needs of the citizens.
It is in line with Government’s digital transformation agenda and endeavours to leverage new technologies to improve delivery of Government services,” he stated.
“By introducing cutting edge technologies, we are not only streamlining administrative processes but also fostering a stronger bond between our citizens and Government,” said the Minister.
He pointed out that besides providing information and assistance, this innovative technology would also serve as a valuable tool for gathering feedback and understanding the needs of the citizens.
“It represents a transition towards a more inclusive, efficient, digitalised and citizen-centric government,” he highlighted.
The Minister acknowledged the responsibility that came along with new technologies and underlined the need to strike a balance between the impressive capabilities of Artificial Intelligence and ensuring that users understand the limitations.
He extended his gratitude to each and everyone who worked tirelessly to make the Government Chatbot a reality. About the Government Chatbot The Government Chatbot will act as a virtual assistant, offering real-time information, answering queries, and guiding individuals through various government procedures, all through a simple conversation.
This innovative tool will, in the first instance, service through the website of the Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, and eventually be deployed to the Citizen Support Unit and the Civil Status Division websites.
The Chatbot is designed as multilingual support through English, French and will include Kreol Morisien at a later stage. Citizens will be able to interact with the Chatbot by talking to it instead of typing regardless of their language preference.
The voice feature will supplement the text-based interactions. Citizens can book an appointment, download their Birth and Marriage Certificates as the Chatbot integrates with government platforms like Maupass, MoRendezvous and Mokloud.
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