Two Irish companies to investigate benefits of using AI to make online public services more inclusive

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Louise Kelly

Two Irish companies have been awarded research contracts to investigate the benefits of using artificial intelligence (AI) to help people use online public services easier.

Derilinx and Ludex will explore how AI can be applied as an assisted digital service to help people to easily find, access and use services that meet their needs, or the needs of someone in their care.

The initiative, jointly funded by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and Enterprise Ireland, will establish the potential for AI to enable those who may need additional forms of assistance in this area.

The project is in line with the eGovernment Strategy 2017-2020, which recognises the importance of inclusion and the need to cater for a broad range of needs, abilities and capabilities.

Minister of State with special responsibility for eGovernment Patrick O’Donovan, TD, who awarded the research contracts, said that the project's aim is to find innovative ways for how access can be enabled to government’s online services for the widest range of people.

"We hope this initial funding will help these companies to develop sustainable and profitable products in the artificial intelligence arena.  This initiative also gives us an opportunity to showcase the potential of real customer-driven service development to underpin Ireland’s leading position as an exemplar for eGovernment participation," he said.