Advancing Digital Transformation in Buenos Aires with AI and Blockchain
The city of Buenos Aires is making significant strides in digital transformation with the adoption of cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain and generative artificial intelligence (genAI).
During an event hosted by AWS, Diego Fernández, the city’s digital transformation secretary, highlighted the city’s efforts to digitize operations since 2007. The city has chosen AWS to create a datalake to make data-driven decisions and gain a more comprehensive view of its operations.
To ensure interoperability in a standardized and secure manner, Buenos Aires has adopted Estonia’s open-source solution, X-Road, which facilitates information exchange between government entities in a confidential, secure, and auditable way. X-Road is currently being used in 150 use cases in Buenos Aires, including civil registration documents and proof of registration with the tax agency, with plans to expand to 500 use cases by 2024.
The city has also developed the Quark ID blockchain-based protocol, in collaboration with Extrimian and other partners, to enhance digital security and regain control of digital identities. This open-source platform encrypts credentials in a blockchain, making it virtually impossible for hackers to access personal data.
In the realm of artificial intelligence, Buenos Aires is testing genAI for its Boti chatbot, which is the largest WhatsApp chatbot globally. The city is exploring how genAI can enhance conversational interactions and improve citizen engagement. Additionally, AI tests with ChatGPT are being conducted in the tourism and culture sectors to streamline communication with citizens.
Fernández emphasized the importance of collaboration in technology and highlighted the city’s partnership with Madrid to enhance AI capabilities. With 90% of citizen interactions being digital and 30% through Boti, Buenos Aires is at the forefront of leveraging AI and blockchain technologies to enhance public services and improve efficiency.