AI-Powered Chatbot Launched on Nebraska State Websites
Nebraska residents will now interact with a new digital assistant on state agency websites, as “Nebraska Navigator” made its debut this week. Developed by Tyler Technologies, this AI-powered chatbot is tailored to meet the specific needs of state and local government operations.
Despite the chatbot’s launch, Nebraska’s collaboration with Tyler Technologies has not been without criticism. State Auditor Mike Foley has been vocal about his concerns regarding the ongoing contracts, suggesting that the company has put the state in a difficult position, requiring additional payments for online applications. Foley believes the State Records Board should consider revisiting the agreement to explore more cost-effective options.
The funding for the chatbot’s expanded use will come from fees paid by Nebraska residents for certain online government services.
Unlike some popular large language models, the chatbot derives its responses exclusively from verified state websites, not the broader internet. However, Tyler Technologies’ terms and conditions do not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided or its consistency with state agency websites. Users are encouraged to verify the chatbot’s answers independently.
Justin Hubly, executive director of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees, expressed skepticism: “I don’t know that it’s particularly useful. It seems a little funny to me to use something that says, ‘use this but it might be wrong,’ versus just looking for the information on the website to begin with.”
The initial testing ground for the AI assistant was the Nebraska DMV website, beginning in December. Governor Jim Pillen expressed enthusiasm about the tool’s performance during this phase, stating in a news release, “Results from the DMV pilot project were very impressive, and now we’re ready to expand its use to even more people.”
During the pilot, the DMV recorded over 188,000 queries submitted through the chatbot, coinciding with a 20% reduction in call volume and fewer in-person visits. Deputy Director Mitch Greenwall noted that Nebraska’s interest in AI tools was piqued by similar initiatives in Indiana and West Virginia.
Staffing issues have plagued the DMV over the past three years, leading to the closure of eight offices in November 2023 and temporary shutdowns in the summer of 2025. While the chatbot aims to alleviate some pressures on state employees by providing 24/7 service in 50 languages, it does not address staffing shortages in areas like driving tests, according to Greenwall.
Although Hubly is not particularly worried about the chatbot’s impact on state employees, the Nebraska Association of Public Employees plans to address AI usage in its upcoming union negotiations with the state. “They still close offices frequently due to short staffing around Nebraska. And we want to make sure those offices are staffed,” Hubly remarked. “So if there are efficiencies that we can explore together, great. But we want to make sure that there’s good governance and accountability in AI use.”
