Please note: The algorithm descriptions in English have been automatically translated. Errors may have been introduced in this process. For the original descriptions, go to the Dutch version of the Algorithm Register.
GovChat-NL/GAIMS
- Publication category
- Impactful algorithms
- Impact assessment
- DPIA, Information Risk Analysis Method (IRAM)
- Status
- In use
General information
Theme
Begin date
Contact information
Link to publication website
Responsible use
Goal and impact
GovChat-NL has been developed as a secure, open-source AI platform that serves as an alternative to public chatbots (such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek) and commercial solutions (such as Copilot). The platform enables public authorities to deploy government-specific AI applications, with full control over data processing, privacy and integration within existing IT environments (centralised management versus decentralised freedom).
With GovChat-NL/GAIMS, civil servants have access to a digital assistant that supports them in carrying out their daily tasks efficiently.
Considerations
The use of public and/or commercial chatbots may be undesirable due to a lack of clarity regarding what happens to the data. Contractual agreements are often lacking, making it unclear how and by whom the data is stored, processed or shared. This poses a risk to privacy and may not comply with legislation and regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Due to the risks associated with using public or commercial versions of chatbots, the municipality of Meierijstad has opted for the following protective measure: developing its own secure chatbot.
Human intervention
GovChat-NL (GAIMS) is not used for automated decision-making. Staff use the system to ask questions and receive AI-generated answers. The final assessment, interpretation and application of these answers always remain the responsibility of the staff member. The system therefore solely supports the work process and does not make decisions on behalf of the organisation.
Risk management
When using GovChat-NL/GAIMS, privacy and security risks are handled with care. Users are only granted access to GAIMS once they have completed the AI literacy training. This training also emphasises that GAIMS is intended solely as a tool and is no substitute for professional knowledge. This is also communicated within the interface (“GAIMS may make mistakes. Check important information.”).
GAIMS has access to sources selected by the local authority; it cannot carry out online searches. Conversation history is securely stored within a virtual machine (VM) on a PostgreSQL database. Users can also opt for a temporary chat, in which case no data is stored. Within the application, access is strictly controlled on the basis of Role-based Access Control (RBAC); only the user themselves and the application administrator have access to the chat history. Logging in is only possible via Single Sign-On.
Upon termination of the contract, the local authority has 90 days to secure and delete all (personal) data. Staff are continually reminded of the importance of handling personal data responsibly and of the risks involved in exporting conversations outside the system, whether intentionally or not.
Impact assessment
- Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)
- Information Risk Analysis Method (IRAM)
Operations
Data
Technical design
GovChat-NL has been developed using open-source technologies. At its core is OpenWebUI, which provides a scalable and customisable architecture. LiteLLM is used for integration with Large Language Models (LLMs), allowing various models to be connected flexibly.
At Meierijstad Municipality, the implementation (GAIMS) is carried out using a Docker image, hosted on our own internal server. The language models are hosted in Microsoft Azure and on the internal server. Access to and security of the platform are managed via Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory), which enables centralised management of user identity, authorisation and Single Sign-On (SSO). Further technical details can be found in the public documentation:
https://github.com/GovChat-NL/GovChat-NL
External provider
Link to code base
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