Diez relies on AI: Charly answers citizens' inquiries around the clock!
The Rhein-Lahn district is introducing modern citizen services with the AI assistant Charly, the first of its kind in Germany.

Diez relies on AI: Charly answers citizens' inquiries around the clock!
The Diez municipality administration has launched Charly, an innovative AI assistant that is the first of its kind to operate in a municipal administration in Germany. This digital helper is available to citizens around the clock, even outside regular opening hours. As the Rhine newspaper reports, Charly can handle a wide variety of concerns and, among other things, answers questions about extending passports, which should be a real relief for many citizens.
So many questions, so many possibilities!
Charly is not only an interactive contact person, but also takes calls when the central office is not busy. This is particularly important in times when many people rely on digital solutions. The introduction of such an AI assistant shows how local government can try to keep up with increasing citizen demands.
The change in administration
Artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly important role in administration and helps to make processes more efficient. According to that Authorities mirror AI systems can provide valuable support in areas such as citizen service, protocol management and application processing. The cities' enthusiasm for innovation and cooperation with future-oriented service providers are essential. Dr. Philipp Lechleiter, head of the Digital City department in Heidelberg, emphasizes that a structured approach and exchange of best practices are necessary in order to benefit maximally from the technologies.
The challenges of technology
Despite the benefits, there are also challenges in implementing AI. Demographic change means that administrations have fewer and fewer staff available, which could affect efficiency. Lars Hoppmann, Managing Director of VITAKO, emphasizes in one Speech that citizens expect a high level of service orientation and transparency. Here, AI can take over routine activities to give employees more time for strategic tasks.
Regulations and framework conditions
The legal handling of AI is regulated by the EU AI Act, which is dedicated to a risk-based approach. High-risk AI systems that work with sensitive data require special security measures. These systems are monitored at European and national levels. It is important that AI applications adhere to legal and ethical standards to gain citizens' trust.
Overall, it shows that AI like Charly is not just a luxury for public administration, but is a necessary answer to the changing needs of society. However, the implementation of such technologies must be carefully planned and monitored so that they can realize their full potential for increasing efficiency.