Aberdeen City Council has launched a new website with an upgraded version of an AI-powered assistant that provides instant responses to residents and streamlines ‘customer care’.
The new platform is a ‘step forward in making it easier, safer, and more intuitive for residents to access the services and information they need’, the council said following the unveiling of the new site this week.
Clearer navigation, improved accessibility, stronger cybersecurity, and a modern design that adapts seamlessly to mobile devices, are the chief features of the redesign.
The site enhances the traditional service‑based structure with a more intuitive ‘life‑event approach’, helping people quickly find support for moving home, starting a family, and young people starting on their school learning journey.
It marks a significant milestone in the council’s ongoing digital transformation, delivered in partnership with Microsoft, and represents a continued commitment to building a secure, innovative, and user‑friendly digital front door for residents.
Andy MacDonald, executive director of corporate services, said: “This new website is designed around the needs of our citizens. By combining modern design, enhanced accessibility, and industry‑leading cybersecurity, we are creating a safer, smarter, and more intuitive online experience.
“Innovation is central to how we serve our communities, and this platform represents another important step in modernising the way people interact with the Council.”
The launch also introduces an upgraded version of AB‑1, the council’s AI‑powered assistant. The enhanced chatbot can now provide instant responses to common queries – such as bin collections – and smoothly hand over conversations to customer care officers whenever a resident chooses, without requiring them to repeat information.
The new platform forms a foundation for further improvements across our citizen services and the council’s digital ecosystem, including future developments such as secure single sign‑on for multiple services.
Mr MacDonald added: “We are committed to continuous improvement, and the feedback from our residents has been invaluable in shaping this new experience.
“As we continue to evolve our digital services, we will keep listening, learning, and adapting to make sure our online services remain accessible, secure, and genuinely helpful for everyone across Aberdeen.”
