Spjallgrímur

Simplifying elections with AI

How an Icelandic chatbot made political information more accessible for the 2024 parliamentary elections

Key numbers

0.9%Of people between the ages 18 and 64 in Iceland used Spjallgrímur

25.5%Of users returned

2.5Questions asked per user on average

What is Spjallgrímur?

Spjallgrímur was an AI-powered chatbot developed to simplify political discourse and assist Icelanders in making informed decisions during the 2024 parliamentary elections. Recognizing that the complexity of political information often left voters disengaged or overwhelmed, the creators aimed to transform these challenges into clear, accessible language. By doing so, Spjallgrímur sought to empower citizens and bridge the gap between politics and voters, fostering greater participation in the democratic process.

The chatbot was a product of collaboration between Ceedr and Roanuz. Combining advanced AI technology with local expertise, the partnership delivered a tailored solution to meet Iceland’s unique electoral needs. This initiative highlighted the transformative potential of localized AI tools in driving civic engagement.

How does it work?

The chatbot provided answers to user queries using its extensive data sources. While it did not learn or adapt over time, it retained session memory to ensure conversational continuity. Importantly, Spjallgrímur was designed with privacy in mind, avoiding the collection or storage of personal data.

  1. Localized Focus: Spjallgrímur was tailored specifically to Iceland’s political landscape. Its data sources included: Wikipedia entries
    • Political party platforms
    • Statistical surveys (Maskína, Gallup, and Prósent)
    • Icelandic news outlets (MBL, Vísir, RÚV)
  2. The system updated its database every two hours to ensure that users received the most relevant and accurate information.
  3. Customisation Over Generic AI: Built on the ChatGPT framework, Spjallgrímur underwent extensive customisation to suit the Icelandic electoral context. This distinguished it from other AI tools by focusing exclusively on election-related topics.
  4. User-Centric Design.
    The chatbot’s conversational style prioritized clarity and simplicity, making it approachable for users unfamiliar with traditional political resources.

Media coverage:

The innovative concept of Spjallgrímur captured the attention of Iceland’s media, resulting in widespread coverage:

 

  1. Radio Features
    • Bylgjan Radio Show: The team at Ceedr appeared on Bítíð at Bylgjan to discuss the origins and objectives of Spjallgrímur. Listen to the segment here.
    • Rás 2 Interview: Spjallgrímur was also featured on Síðdegisútvarpið on Rás 2, where the team shared insights into its development and functionality. Listen to the interview here.

    2.  

  2. News Articles
    • Viðskiptablaðið: A comprehensive article in Viðskiptablaðið highlighted Spjallgrímur’s unique approach to addressing electoral questions with AI. Read the full article here.
    • RÚV and Vísir News Portals:
      Spjallgrímur featured prominently in election-related coverage on RÚV and Vísir, further solidifying its presence as a trusted resource for voters.

Spjallgrímur’s impact

Spjallgrímur was a bold experiment in harnessing AI for societal good, playing a pivotal role in the 2024 elections by simplifying complex political discussions and making them more accessible to voters. Its localized approach and tailored design showcased the potential of AI to foster greater political awareness and participation.

While its primary purpose was tied to the 2024 elections, Spjallgrímur set a precedent for future AI-driven civic tools. The technology behind it continues to inspire new applications across public and private sectors, advancing the integration of AI into civic engagement and education.