AI in licensing? Government advances with pilot project in municipalities

Os pilot projects will be implemented in a “ relatively small number” of municipalities, which already have good technological preparation and processes equipped for this reality, said Deputy Minister and State Reform, Gonçalo Matias, who spoke to journalists in Coimbra, one of the municipalities that will integrate this first phase of tests.

The governor recalled that on 1 October the new Legal Regime of Urbanization and Building (RJEU) will enter into force, which already provides for the licensing to be made in an electronic manner and which can benefit from the use of the AI.

The AI will not replace the platforms of the municipalities, but it will be “one layer”, which will function as “one point of entry and that will allow people to handle all their licensing”, explained Gonçalo Matias, who spoke after participating in the launch of the AI training program for public administration, which took place in iParque, Coimbra.

At first, construction licensing will be worked out, which will then be joined by industrial and environmental licensing.

The minister predicted that it would be possible to license works within 50 days and explained that the use of the AI will allow to accelerate licensing processes, combined with the simplification in progress.

“ When we have everything articulated, if anyone wants to build a factory here in Coimbra, he is able at this only access point to obtain the construction license, environmental and industrial. If all this can be done, as I hope, in a few months we are talking about a real transformation, a revolution in the way we obtain licensing in our country”.

According to Gonçalo Matias, the objective is to extend the use of artificial intelligence to all municipalities in 2027.

In his speech at the opening session in iParque, the minister said that despite the use of the AI, the technology will only help accelerate the process, but without replacing the human, stressing that whoever decides on an urban license remains the president of the municipality or some councilman to whom that power is delegated.

Present at the session, the mayor of Coimbra, Ana Abrunhosa, said that artificial intelligence can accelerate processes, always taking into account territorial management instruments and urban rules.

“ We are talking about a real revolution in the way we work in public administration and in the way we also relate to those who seek public administration”.

In its speech, the mayor stressed that the AI represents an opportunity to simplify, to improve public services.

“Artificial intelligence cannot be an excuse to dehumanize,” he said, explaining also that technology will free municipal officials to devote time to a proximity service.