Auckland Council has switched on a web-based AI assistant to handle reports of graffiti, illegal dumping, roaming dogs, missed bin collections and party/people noise.

Branded Ask Auckland Council, the tool is designed to understand everyday language, including people and place names in te reo Māori. It can ask follow-up questions, check details and analyse uploaded photos to speed up logging a job. It runs in a web browser on phones, tablets and computers, and can be saved to a home screen as a web app. A link sits on the Report a problem page of the council website, and existing channels remain available.

“It’s about using technology to make life easier for people and meet demand for simple, convenient ways to engage with council,” Mayor Wayne Brown said. “AI assistants get better the more information they receive, so Aucklanders can help us make it better for them just by using it.”

The council says more problem categories will be added over coming months. It also says work is underway to streamline internal processes so that once problems are reported, they can be fixed faster.

Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, who led the work with the mayor, said feedback from earlier tools was clear. “People told us the old reporting tools were frustrating and confusing. We listened and worked hard to deliver an AI solution that’s more intuitive, easier and quicker to use, and safe and secure.” Depending on uptake, she said the assistant could eventually serve as an AI-powered “single front door” to council services and information.

An initial launch to 1000 people in February found 80% of users rated the assistant easy to use, compared with 42% for existing methods. The council says the system supports, rather than replaces, staff and streamlines how issues get into back-end systems. Group Shared Services, which provides back-office services to the Auckland Council Group, worked with the council on the build.

According to the release, Ask Auckland Council complies with privacy, legal and security standards and includes checks and guardrails to help ensure accuracy, prevent inappropriate behaviour and spot false information.

The council’s announcement does not include details on vendor selection, the underlying AI model, project cost or data retention policies for user inputs and photos.

Ask Auckland Council is available at https://ask.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/ and via the Report a problem page on the council website.