‘AskGov’ Chatbot Expected to Revolutionise Access to Gov’t Services

President Irfaan Ali has announced the launch of ‘AskGov’, an AI-driven chatbot aimed at transforming how citizens interact with government services in Guyana. The digital assistant is designed to provide instant, round-the-clock responses to queries and assist with various tasks such as licence renewals, application tracking, and document requests.

During a live address on his official Facebook page yesterday, Ali introduced AskGov as a user-friendly, 24/7 virtual tool that will streamline interactions between the public and state agencies. He described the chatbot as a step toward making government services more accessible and efficient.

The president said the AI assistant will be available at all times to help citizens with their government-related needs — whether it’s renewing a licence or checking the status of an application.

Ali said AskGov is part of a wider initiative to modernise the public sector and align Guyana with global digital standards. He noted that similar technologies are already being used internationally to simplify processes like tax filing, making them more cost-effective and convenient. He said Guyana intends to adopt and adapt these innovations to enhance local service delivery.

Supporting this digital transformation, the President mentioned that work is underway to consolidate various services — including passport, ID, birth certificate, and licence renewals — into a single online platform. He referenced the Ministry of Housing and Water’s Single Window System and the Guyana Revenue Authority’s Padna app as tangible steps already taken in this direction.

In addition, the government has finalised a US$34.5 million agreement with Veridos Identity Solutions to establish a national electronic identification system. This project aims to ensure citizens enjoy enhanced access to government services, exceeding the level currently available to non-nationals.