DES MOINES, IOWA (April 23, 2019) — Governor Kim Reynolds, Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg, and Chief Information Officer Jeff Franklin announced today that Iowa is expanding its communication channels and services to include Google Home, Amazon Echo, and a chatbot. Iowans can now ask their smartphone or Google/Amazon digital-assistant questions about state-government events and services.
You can watch the press conference and demo here.
"Iowans are seeking state-government services that are compatible with the 21st-century, technologically-driven economy,” said Gov Reynolds. “Today’s announcement furthers our efforts to be more innovative to better serve their needs. That’s why we’ll continue exploring additional ways that Iowans can access vital information at their fingertips.”“Once again, we have shown that Iowa is home to innovation, cutting-edge technology, and is always looking to break new barriers to better serve the people we represent," said Lt Gov Gregg. "Iowa is leading the way as the first state in the Midwest and sixth in the nation to integrate this user-friendly technology."
Ask the State of Iowa helps Iowans with smartphones and voice-devices find answers to their most common questions of the various state-agencies. With the Google devices you can find State government office-phone numbers or ask Google to call our office.
"Our office continues to be a technology-innovator, utilizing various communications tools, social-media, and now Google Home and Amazon Alexa, to connect and engage with Iowans," said Chief Information Officer Jeff Franklin. "I look forward to incorporating this technology in more of our services in the near future."
The Google and Amazon Skills were developed for the State of Iowa by Webspec Design. The State is using the LogMeIn Bold360 chatbot product on Iowa.gov and many agency websites.
Here are some common questions that are Alexa and Google Home Compatible:
- Ask the State of Iowa How can I pay my speeding ticket online?
- Ask the State of Iowa Where do I mail my tax return?
- Ask the State of Iowa How do I register to vote?
- Ask the State of Iowa How do I get a copy of my birth certificate?
- Ask the State of Iowa What’s on the Governor’s schedule today?
- Ask the State of Iowa How do I contact the Governor’s Office?
ABOUT THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
The Iowa Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) is responsible for the operation and delivery of information-technology services and innovation across all Executive Branch agencies in the State of Iowa.
ABOUT WEBSPEC DESIGN
Webspec Design is a Des Moines, Iowa-based firm providing web-design, e-commerce, and php-programming, and Drupal and WordPress development.
For instructions and information on how to download Alexa and Google, reference the following links: Downloading Google Assistant or Google Home from Playstore and Downloading Alexa from the Playstore.
To access a how-to manual on using Alexa and Google, visit here.
