Digital administration

How artificial intelligence is conquering the country

The state of Carinthia uses AI in many areas and is even building its own "KärntenGPT". This is expected to make official channels faster and easier to understand.

(Bild: Evelyn Hronek)

Artificial intelligence is also increasingly being used in public administration. But it also needs to be there for people who are not comfortable with digital solutions.

Artificial intelligence is the logical further development of digitalization for us in administration. However, it is important that everyone is treated equally," emphasizes Albert Kreiner, long-time head of department at the state and so-called "state lawyer". "For us as an administration, this means that we have to ensure our services are available to everyone. Even for population groups that are not IT-savvy."

This is why many processes still have to be available in analog form. For some, however, the changeover is urgently needed. "There is a huge backlog in photovoltaic subsidies. From January, eligibility for subsidies will be automatic," says Kreiner.

On his last day at work, long-time "state lawyer" Albert Kreiner (center) also devoted himself to digitalization and was a guest at Start(up) Friday. The topic of AI was discussed by experts.

(Bild: NZ Photo/Zangerle)

Data sovereignty with "KärntenGPT"
At the 35th Start(up) Friday, a series of events he co-initiated himself, at the see:PORT in Pörtschach, everything revolved around AI this time. "However, the administration is still at the beginning of development. The KärntenGPT is a first step," explains Kreiner. This AI is an encapsulated system; the data is not stored on any servers abroad. Albert Kreiner places particular emphasis on the importance of data sovereignty: "If companies have control over it, it automatically leads to conflicts of interest."

This approach also led him to provide his own navigation data for traffic information years ago. "I explained this to my son: if he wants to get to Vienna quickly, there's no point in being guided past every McDonald's because they're sponsors," says Kreiner.