The Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) in Spain has taken a significant step towards digitization and citizen-centric services. With the introduction of María, an innovative virtual assistant based on generative Artificial Intelligence, the DGT is revolutionizing the way citizens can handle their concerns and procedures. This development underscores the commitment of the Spanish authorities to efficient and accessible citizen service.
What is María and How Does She Work?
María is a state-of-the-art conversational assistant designed to quickly and precisely answer the most common questions and doubts of citizens. Instead of having to navigate through complex menus or long search results, users can simply state their concerns to María in natural language.
The core of María’s functionality lies in advanced RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) technology. This system combines a cutting-edge language model with an extensive database of official DGT documents. When a citizen asks a question, María first searches this database for relevant information. Based on the documents found, the assistant then generates a clear, precise, and legally compliant answer tailored exactly to the request.
What Advantages Does María Offer Citizens?
The introduction of María brings numerous benefits for citizens interacting with the DGT:
- Fast and precise information: María provides answers in real-time, eliminating long waiting times or cumbersome research.
- Intuitive operation: Thanks to conversational AI, interacting with María is as simple as chatting with a human.
- Comprehensive support for procedures: Whether it’s about driver’s license renewal, fine payment, or vehicle registration – María can provide detailed information and guidance.
- Increased accessibility: The virtual assistant is available anytime, anywhere, significantly simplifying access to DGT services.
- Relief for authorities: By automating routine inquiries, DGT staff can focus on more complex cases.
DGT and the Future of Digitization in Spain
The implementation of María is a clear sign of the DGT’s endeavor to continuously improve its services and meet the demands of an increasingly digital society. This step is part of a series of digitization initiatives in Spain aimed at breaking down bureaucratic hurdles and making it easier for citizens to deal with authorities. María is therefore not only a technological advance but also an important building block for a modern and citizen-friendly state.
