Kärnten has become the first Austrian federal state to usher in a new era of public administration with the introduction of its own artificial intelligence, KärntenGPT. Launched on December 23, 2024, all state employees can utilize this innovative tool to facilitate various bureaucratic processes. Kärnten's Governor, Peter Kaiser, alongside Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Digital Officer (CDO) Christian Inzko, unveiled details during the official presentation.
KärntenGPT is equipped to summarize, compare, and translate documents, including governmental session minutes and legal texts. This powerful AI solution will assist with reviewing applications uploaded by grant applicants, significantly streamlining administrative workflows. "This saves our staff time and makes the administration faster and more service-oriented," emphasized Kaiser.
The introduction of KärntenGPT involved a significant investment of €80,000, which is expected to quickly recoup costs through improved efficiency. Privacy remains at the forefront of this initiative. "Kärnten is the first federal state to use artificial intelligence integrally within its jurisdiction," remarked Kaiser. The local 'in-house' solution ensures data stays secure within the state's own data center, safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining independence from international tech giants.
The AI aims to benefit citizens directly, ensuring quicker processing of grant applications, such as those for photovoltaic systems. Importantly, Governor Kaiser reaffirmed the commitment to traditional methods, allowing citizens to submit applications analogously if they prefer. "There will be significant administrative simplification," Kaiser stated.
Following successful trials with 100 state employees, KärntenGPT is being introduced gradually to optimize support for employees. Notably, the AI employs an open-source solution from Meta, and, as CIO Christian Inzko confirmed, all data is processed locally, avoiding any transfer to servers located in the United States. This protects user privacy and boosts local data control. KärntenGPT can quickly generate summaries of technical documents or compare various drafts of regulations and directives, spotlighting any modifications made during revisions.
The correct formulation of queries is key to maximizing KärntenGPT’s effectiveness, according to CIO/CDO Christian.Inzko, who announced forthcoming training sessions for state staff at the administration academy. This education will focus on the nuances of leveraging AI effectively.
Team Kärnten has called for scientific oversight of the AI initiative from local universities and colleges to navigate the uncharted waters of integrating local AI within the state administration. “With the establishment of a local AI at the agency, we are entering new territory. Artificial intelligence is both the present and the future," said Köfer, reacting to the AI's launch during the press conference. "Nonetheless, there are substantial concerns about the technology, especially concerning data protection and the overarching issues of cybercrime.”
The ambitious KärntenGPT initiative demonstrates the region's commitment to modernizing public services through technology, reshaping how administrative tasks are executed. By investing in its own AI, Kärnten not only tackles bureaucratic challenges more efficiently but also addresses privacy concerns by ensuring data remains protected within local systems. This strategic move sets Kärnten apart as a pioneer among Austrian states equipped to handle contemporary administrative needs with innovations like KärntenGPT.
