Ukraine launches world’s first government AI agent

Ukrainian citizens can now receive their official income certificate by using the artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chat assistant on Diia, the country’s online portal for digital public services. 

While AI assistants for government platforms are not new and already exist in countries like Estonia, Singapore and the UK, Ukraine is the world's first government to roll out an AI agent to provide services directly through a chat interface. 

What this means is that AI is not just a chatbot that answers questions, but a functional agent that completes the user’s request and delivers the document. 

Aside from requesting for income certificates, citizens can use Diia.AI to explain public services instead of searching the portal, as well as find services to match specific situations. 

For example, if the user inputs in the chat that their homes have been damaged, Diia.AI will suggest the eRecovery service and gives the user instructions to apply for compensation from the government. 

Digital Minister Mykhailo Fedorov pointed out in a LinkedIn post that the government wants to transform the superapp into a full-fledged AI agent, which does away the need for citizens to fill in unnecessary forms and fields to request for services and works 24/7. 

Currently, Diia.AI is only available on the web portal and in open beta testing for user feedback. 

There are plans by the government to make Diia.AI available in the mobile app, and to roll out five more services, he added. 

Expanding digital government services 

The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine also just announced new digital public services alongside the AI agent within the Diia app. 

These announcements around the Diia app include the electronic signature launch and soon, a direct request service which allows citizens to contact local self-government bodies, as well as file legal documents and track every stage of their court cases (for more straightforward cases) online through the app.  

The official release also highlighted that Ukraine is just starting to roll out 5G technology, with initial tests in some cities before a nationwide rollout. 

A few days ago, United24 media reported that the Ukrainian government will also digitalise veterans’ access to benefits and services, unify all social benefits in one app, digitalise notary services, and adopt electronic codes to track illegal trade. 
 

Singapore’s national healthtech agency Synapxe also recently announced plans to incorporate an AI agent into the HealthHub app’s chat assistant, making it easier for users to book appointments. 

You can find other articles written about Ukraine's digital government here.