Have A Salem Question? 'Chat Bot Live' Can Try To Help

SALEM, MA — Have a question about Salem city services?

Chat Bot Live may be able to provide the answers.

Those navigating the city's website will notice a new pop-up question feature designed to provide quick answers about municipal services. The city said the bot (shown above) relies on artificial intelligence to deliver rapid responses to questions based on information found across all city-affiliated sites.

If the automated bot does not provide a satisfactory answer, the user has the option to send a more detailed email to which a city representative will respond.

"As we continue towards launching a full 3-1-1 resident service line here in Salem in the near future, this new chatbot tool will provide a helpful interim measure for those looking for quick answers to common inquiries," Mayor Kim Driscoll said. "We've worked diligently over the years to expand and enhance resident connections to information and services from their city and this new system is one more step on the path of improved transparency and access."

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)