The City of Mikkeli has launched a new AI-powered customer service bot named Saimi, which offers multilingual, round-the-clock support. The chatbot provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding Mikkeli’s municipal services and improves the accessibility of the city’s services.
The bot retrieves its information from the city’s official website. Its implementation is part of Mikkeli’s broader digital development strategy and also supports the city’s efforts to become more international.
The bot is named Saimi, a name derived from Lake Saimaa, symbolising the natural beauty, purity, and approachability of the Mikkeli region. The name was chosen through a naming competition among the city’s staff.
The AI chatbot is one of the latest tools in the city’s digital development programme. It enhances accessibility, streamlines the customer experience, and promotes cost-effectiveness. The multilingual functionality ensures that an increasing number of people can quickly and easily access the information they need.
The technical development of the bot has been carried out by local company Mindhive, in close collaboration with Mikkeli’s digital development team.