The City of Grande Prairie is expanding access to City information and services through a new after-hours AccessGP AI pilot program, giving residents another way to connect with the City outside regular business hours.

Running from Oct. 13 to Dec. 31, the pilot program will introduce Riley, an AI-enabled voice assistant that can answer common questions about City services, direct residents to appropriate resources and capture inquiries requiring staff follow-up.

The pilot program introduces a new level of after-hours support where no staffed AccessGP phone service currently exists. Regular daytime services, staffing and operating hours remain unchanged.

“People need access to City information at different times, and this pilot gives us an opportunity to provide more support outside our regular business hours,” said City of Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton. “We’re adding another way for residents to connect with the City while keeping the people and services they already rely on in place. Over the next few months, we’ll be listening to residents and looking closely at what works and what doesn’t.”

How the after-hours service works

Starting Oct. 13, residents calling AccessGP on weekends, holidays and after 6 p.m. on weekdays are connected with Riley, allowing them to ask questions conversationally rather than navigating a traditional automated phone menu.

Riley provides information about common City services, including recreation, transit, roads/construction, snow clearing and facility hours. When an inquiry cannot be answered using current City information, it can be submitted to AccessGP staff for follow-up during regular business hours.

The AI Assistant will not handle 9-1-1 or any emergency. 

Throughout the pilot program, the City will evaluate the accuracy, reliability and usefulness of the service, along with resident experiences and the types of inquiries received. Findings will help inform decisions about the potential future use of the technology.

AccessGP's regular operating hours remain unchanged. In-person service is available Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., while phone service is available from 8:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. Residents can continue to reach AccessGP by calling 3-1-1 or 780-538-0300, with the new pilot program providing additional phone support outside regular phone service hours.

For more information about the AccessGP after-hours pilot program, visit cityofgp.com/contact-us.