Elkhart Launches “Elky” — A 24/7 Multilingual AI Assistant to Improve Access to City Services

Elkhart Launches “Elky” — A 24/7 Multilingual AI Assistant to Improve Access to City Services

Elkhart, IN – The City of Elkhart is proud to announce the launch of Elky, a new, fully integrated web chat assistant designed to enhance customer service and streamline communication between residents and city staff.

Developed in partnership with Citibot, a national leader in AI-powered solutions for local government, Elky is available 24/7 on the city’s website to help residents get fast answers, submit service requests, and connect with the appropriate department — all in real time.

Powered by cutting-edge generative AI and capable of communicating in over 70 languages, Elky is built to serve Elkhart’s diverse and growing community. Whether it’s finding information on local services, reporting an issue, or reaching a specific department, Elky delivers quick, accurate, and inclusive support any time of day.

Residents can start chatting with Elky by visiting cityofelkhartin.gov and clicking the chat icon located in the bottom right corner of the screen — accessible on both desktop and mobile devices. Elky greets users instantly and guides them through their inquiry. For more complex needs, users can request direct assistance from a city staff member within the chat.

“Municipal websites are full of valuable information, but it can be overwhelming for residents to navigate,” said Bratton Riley, CEO of Citibot. “With Elky, Elkhart is creating a faster, more accessible, and more personalized experience for every resident.”

Founded in 2016 in Charleston, South Carolina, Citibot empowers local governments to better serve their communities with AI-powered web chat and text messaging tools that are easy to use and multilingual by design.

With this launch, Elkhart becomes one of the first municipalities in Indiana to implement Citibot’s AI-powered resident engagement platform — reinforcing its commitment to innovation, accessibility, and responsive public service.