Los Angeles, Microsoft Unveil Chip: New Chatbot Project Centered on Streamlining

The city of Los Angeles' newest IT employee is an as-yet unsung hero who assisted more than 180 people in 24 hours and has answered more than 1,400 queries to the nation's second-largest city. On Wednesday, May 3, however, Chip's anonymity ended when Microsoft and city officials promoted that hard work and potential to the Brooklyn Navy Yard audience at Smart Cities NYC '17. Chip is a so-called chatbot whose name stands for "City Hall Internet Personality," although a Microsoft official said his capacity for learning raises him above that label. "He" considers himself "your personal digital assistant," as will become apparent if you visit the Los Angeles Business Assistance Virtual Network (BAVN), click on the WALL-E-esque icon and type in "What is your name?" The city chose BAVN for the debut as a way to drive vendor engagement and make sure it's publicizing purchasing and procurement opportunities.