The voter group FÜR Karlsruhe is delighted with the city administration’s detailed response to its inquiry about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the city administration:
“We expressly welcome the City of Karlsruhe’s commitment to approaching the future topic of AI in an open, differentiated and responsible manner,” says City Councillor Friedemann Kalmbach (FÜR Karlsruhe). We are particularly positive about the rapid introduction of knowledge management and the planned systematic survey of so-called “pain points” in the administrative processes in order to test pilot projects with AI in a targeted manner. We see the introduction of AI in citizens’ services as an opportunity for faster processing of citizens’ concerns and long-term cost savings in the administration in view of planned staff reductions.
The city rightly emphasizes that AI is not a panacea and must always find limits where there are legal, technical or ethical concerns – for example in data protection or discretionary decisions.
FÜR Karlsruhe also welcomes the administration’s clear statement that AI should only have a supportive effect: there will always have to be a human contact person – especially for sensitive or legally relevant matters. This is a key point for building trust between the administration and citizens.
We see the gradual introduction of AI as a sensible way to streamline administrative processes and use resources more efficiently. At the same time, we will continue to pay close attention to ensuring that proximity to citizens, transparency and participation do not take a back seat to technological feasibility.
