How Covington, Kentucky is Pioneering Artificial Intelligence on a Budget

In Covington, Kentucky—a small city brimming with charm and innovation—AI is making waves in an unexpected and delightful way. The city’s Economic Development department recently introduced a chatbot named Clive, powered by a large language model (LLM). At a cost of under $200 annually, Covington has proven that cutting-edge AI isn’t just for tech giants or large municipalities.

Meet Clive: Covington’s AI Ambassador

Clive isn’t your average chatbot. Sporting a green alien persona, Clive greets visitors to Covington’s Economic Development webpage with both practical information and a touch of whimsy. Rooted in the city’s quirky culture, Clive shares its backstory of arriving in Kentucky from the fictional galaxy of Artalon, bringing personality to routine inquiries about zoning, permits, and economic incentives.

The character isn’t entirely digital; it began as a two-story-tall public art installation unveiled in 2023. Towering over a local parking garage, the green alien has become a beloved symbol of Covington’s creativity. Digitizing Clive as a virtual assistant was a natural next step, blending public art with public service.

Embracing Innovation with Limited Resources

For smaller cities, adopting advanced technologies often seems out of reach due to budget constraints. Covington’s approach, however, shows how resourcefulness can close the gap. The city used Chatbase, an affordable software platform that allows users to design and deploy custom chatbots.

The process was straightforward: Clive was trained on a vast dataset of over 17 documents and 174 web links, equipping it to handle questions ranging from real estate opportunities to job applications. Using Chatbase’s basic plan, which costs less than $200 annually, the city sidestepped the need for costly custom development or specialized technical expertise.

Why AI Matters for Small Cities

Covington’s venture into AI reflects a growing trend among smaller governments to harness technology for greater accessibility and efficiency. While state governments are leading the way in deploying AI-driven chatbots, local governments are following suit. Recent surveys indicate that 63% of cities have either implemented or piloted conversational AI tools, with counties close behind at 48%.

For Covington, adopting AI wasn’t just about keeping up with trends—it was about enhancing the city’s ability to attract businesses and streamline public engagement. By automating responses to frequently asked questions, the city has freed up staff time for more complex tasks while improving user experience.

A Collaborative Effort

The idea for Clive emerged from a meeting of minds. Susan Smith, Covington’s business attraction manager, attended a conference where she learned about the potential of chatbots for economic development. Simultaneously, Todd Sink, the city’s manager of analytics and intelligence, was exploring ways to incorporate AI into the city’s digital strategy.

When the two collaborated, Clive’s identity took shape, inspired by the city’s beloved alien art installation. The chatbot’s playful design ensures users understand they’re interacting with AI rather than a live agent, striking a balance between functionality and fun.

AI for All

Covington’s success story offers a blueprint for other small municipalities. By leveraging affordable AI tools and embracing their unique culture, cities of any size can enhance their public services without breaking the bank.

As Clive continues its virtual internship, it serves as a reminder that innovation doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag—it simply requires creativity, collaboration, and the willingness to explore new horizons.

 

 

 

Resources:

Davidson, Nikki. “LLM on a Budget: How Small Cities Are Leveraging AI.” GovTech.com. 12 November, 2024. https://www.govtech.com/biz/data/llm-on-a-budget-how-small-cities-are-leveraging-ai?

Dobovyk, Sergey. “Can we use local LLM to enhance traditional chatbot output on a budget?” Medium.com. 9 March, 2024. https://medium.com/@knidarkness/can-we-use-local-llm-to-enhance-traditional-chatbot-output-on-a-budget-beba6cfc48d6

City of Covington, KY. https://thecovky.gov/