By Camila Fernandez
A city that talks back (and listens)
Buenos Aires has recently rolled out BAX, an app powered by generative AI intended to bring public services, cultural agendas, and documents into one conversation. Whether through text or voice, users can manage everyday tasks like following up on paperwork, requesting appointments, or submitting documents—to reduce what used to take 15–20 minutes into under a minute. More than 110,000 people downloaded it in just a few weeks after launch, with over a million views total. The app learns and expands its services over time.
Another example: Boti, the city’s conversational AI chatbot, now uses technologies like OpenAI tools to answer questions more naturally and assist with tourist recommendations, traffic updates, even reporting urban problems with images. The idea is to reduce friction between citizens and government, especially for people who struggle with bureaucracy or limited internet access.
The big picture: startups and innovation infrastructure
Buenos Aires is also making moves to become a regional AI hub. There’s a proposed Distrito IA in the microcentro—this would be a zone where startups, universities, government, and research centers work together. Businesses operating there would get tax breaks, favorable finance, and a regulatory sandbox to test new technologies in a real city context. Empty offices might become labs, coworking spots or places for prototyping.
But while many porteños already use AI tools personally—for studying, working, daily tasks—owning a smartphone or using a chatbot doesn’t always translate into companies or schools deeply integrating AI. Studies show that though nearly two-thirds of people in Argentina use AI tools in their lives, fewer than half report that their workplace uses them, and only a small fraction say AI is woven systematically into their work. This gap points to both opportunity and challenge.
Practical tips for integrating AI in day-to-day life
- Start simple: Try what’s already available, like BAX for government services or Boti for helpful info. Learning to interact with these will make advanced tools easier to adopt.
- Be mindful of data privacy: When you grant access to documents or voice features, check what data is collected and how it’s used.
- Skill building matters: If you’re a worker, student, or entrepreneur—look for workshops or online courses about using AI tools responsibly and productively.
- Stay involved: As Buenos Aires builds its AI ecosystem, community input matters—feedback on apps, services or regulations helps make sure AI works for all.
In short: AI in Buenos Aires isn’t science fiction—it’s in your phone, in your papers, in your conversations. And while there are still gaps, the city is increasingly committed to designing tech that actually works for the people who live here.