The Gujarat government has partnered with Meta to improve digital public services and explore the use of artificial intelligence and new technologies in governance.
As part of the partnership, both sides have signed an MoU to launch a WhatsApp-based chatbot under the state’s ‘Sugam Digital’ initiative. The project will focus on making government services easier to access for people across Gujarat.
The chatbot will be available in Gujarati and English and is expected to offer around 20 government services directly through WhatsApp. Citizens will be able to use it for services such as grievance support, ration card updates, income and caste certificates, EWS certificates, affidavits, and land and revenue records. The platform will also include voice support so that more people, especially in rural areas, can use it comfortably.
Speaking about the partnership, Bhupendra Patel said Gujarat has always focused on adopting technology to improve governance and public services. He said the state wants to use AI and digital tools in ways that make services more transparent, accessible, and useful for citizens.
Hareet Shukla said the initiative is designed to make government services simpler and more convenient. He added that citizens, including those living in remote areas, will be able to access important services without needing to visit government offices.
Meanwhile, Arun Srinivas said technologies like AI can help improve citizen services and make access to government support easier. He added that WhatsApp’s wide reach and familiarity among users make it a practical platform for delivering digital services across different parts of the country.
