Argentine provinces implement AI virtual assistants for public services

The provinces of Río Negro and Neuquén are expanding digital transformation initiatives to improve access to public services through AI-powered virtual assistants.

In Río Negro, the government has launched Río Bot 2.0, an artificial intelligence tool designed to simplify healthcare access. Residents can use WhatsApp to request hospital appointments in 11 localities, including Viedma, General Roca, and San Carlos de Bariloche. The system also allows users to locate the nearest Primary Health Care Center (CAPS) and identify which pharmacies are on duty. Unlike traditional menu-based systems, Río Bot 2.0 uses natural language processing to understand text and voice messages.

In Neuquén, the municipal government’s virtual assistant, Capi, has processed over 85,300 monthly inquiries via WhatsApp. The tool handles 87% of interactions directly, covering topics such as tourism information, municipal taxes, and traffic violations. The municipality reports that 90% of its procedures have been digitized, with a significant portion of user activity occurring outside of standard administrative hours.