Slough Borough Council launches chatbot assistant for website

Slough Borough Council said the aim is to reduce the need for people to call its customer contact centre

A council has launched a chatbot service on its website to help with public queries.

The Slough Automated Resource Assistant (SARA) will help with queries about bins, waste and recycling, as well as school admissions and council tax.

Slough Borough Council said the aim is to reduce the need for people to call its customer contact centre.

SARA will work by popping up on each page of the website to offer assistance.

Councillor Mabu Shaik said: "This is another step in providing a seamless digital service to residents. The chatbot will provide quick, concise and accurate solutions and answers to queries.

"It will also encourage residents to sign up for self-service portals so they can access their information independently. I encourage residents to give it a try."

The chatbot will be in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can be changed into different languages.

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