South San Francisco Partners with Citibot to Launch Indy
Published on October 15, 2024
The City of South San Francisco proudly announces the launch of Indy, an innovative AI-powered customer service platform developed in partnership with Citibot, the leading provider of interactive chat solutions for local governments.
Indy offers residents a seamless experience, providing access to city services through an intuitive web chat assistant and a convenient text messaging feature. This cutting-edge solution is designed to quickly address inquiries, provide information on a wide range of city services, and allow residents to submit service requests or communicate directly with city staff.
Leveraging advanced generative AI and machine learning technologies, Indy is equipped to handle the everyday needs of both the government and its residents. The platform’s ability to understand and converse in 71 different languages highlights its role in fostering a more inclusive and accessible community.
Residents can access Indy's web chat service directly on the City’s website (www.ssf.net), where they will find the chat icon conveniently located at the bottom right corner of their screen. Upon clicking the icon, a chat window opens, greeting users and inviting them to submit their questions or requests.
For those who prefer texting, residents can start a conversation by sending "Hello" to (844) 771 - INDY (4639). Indy will promptly respond, guiding users on how to take full advantage of the service. Residents will also receive a link to sign-up for text alerts from the city after texting Hello to Indy.
Should a resident require further assistance during their interaction, they can easily escalate their request to City staff, ensuring personalized support when needed.
“The City of South San Francisco is committed to ensuring that everyone can access the services and information they need. This past summer, we launched our new website with improved navigation, enhanced accessibility, and a mobile-friendly design,” shared Tony Barrera, Director of Information Technology. “The launch of our new chatbot is another significant step forward in improving accessibility, making it easier for all residents to engage with our resources and participate in the community.”
Based in Charleston, SC, Citibot LLC was formed in 2016 with a mission of making cities and counties accessible for all. Bratton Riley, Citibot’s co-founder and CEO, was inspired by the evolution of the conversational chatbot and its ability to help governments be more accessible and accountable to every resident.
"Expectations for high-quality customer service are continuously rising," said Riley. "Cities like South San Francisco are at the forefront, implementing powerful solutions that enhance efficiency and improve access to vital information and services."
For more information on how South San Francisco is using Citibot, visit (www.ssf.net).
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About the City of South San Francisco
The City of South San Francisco proudly remains The Industrial City, a reflection of its steel mill and ship building past, redefined to reflect the innovative, entrepreneurial, and industrious spirit which has made South San Francisco the Biotech Capital of the World, with 217 active biotech companies and growing. A vibrant community of 66,185 residents, South San Francisco enjoys a high quality of life with an extensive public parks system, active library and learning programming and a dynamic, engaged community making South San Francisco a great place to live, learn, work, and play.
About Citibot:
Citibot is a leading provider of AI-powered chatbot solutions for citizens and their governments to use for efficient and effective communication and civic change. Using smart text messaging and web chat technology, Citibot helps residents get answers to questions, report issues, send messages directly to staff, and receive real-time alerts. For more information visit http://citibot.io.