City of Albuquerque Wins Government Innovation Award
September 13, 2018
The City of Albuquerque won the “National 2018 Government Experience Innovation Award” from the Center for Digital Government for making 311 service requests available through Amazon Alexa. Albuquerque is the only city in the nation to be awarded for using technology to improve the community’s experience of government and how services are delivered to residents.
“Turning government inside out to make it more responsive and accessible than ever is core to our mission,” stated Mayor Tim Keller. “We have innovative thinkers inside City Hall and with our partners in the creative and tech community who are putting Albuquerque on the map as a leader in innovation.”
The Albuquerque 311 Alexa skill allows users to ask questions about city-owned facilities, like golf courses and community centers, and report issues or request services, like a large item pickup. Along with the City’s website, the ABQ311 Mobile App, calling 311 by phone, and offering services on public computers, the 311 Alexa skill is one of many ways the City of Albuquerque is bringing government services and information to businesses of all sizes and people from all walks of life.
“This award recognizes Albuquerque’s position as a leader in technology that makes it easier for our residents to engage with their local government,” said Digital Engagement Specialist Matthew Maez. “Our goal is to deliver high-quality services that make Albuquerque safe, inclusive, and innovative. We are humbled to be recognized for our work on this developing field.”
Albuquerque is recognized for leveraging Alexa in novel ways, going beyond earlier, information-only applications.
“[Albuquerque offers] the ability to actually request a service,” said CDG Chief Innovation Officer Dustin Haisler. “Most of the time these voice assistants regurgitate information: What is the number for the DMV? How do I renew a hunting license? This is the first we have seen at the local level that allows people to actually request trash pickup or a graffiti cleanup.”
You can watch a video of Mayor Tim Keller using the Amazon Alexa to access 311 here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA0RhFLoQi4&feature=youtu.be