Technology & Innovation

Ask Elby!

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Ask Elby!?

  Ask Elby! is a beta AI-powered virtual assistant designed to provide quick and accurate information about various city services and resources in Long Beach.

• What do you mean by beta?

  Ask Elby! Isn't quite ready for a full public launch yet, so we have launched a beta version for 30 days for you to try out.

• How is Elby different from human customer support?

  Elby is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot powered by Citibot, an advanced generative AI platform. Elby is programmed with specific knowledge pertaining to the City of Long Beach. Her knowledge is derived from the City of Long Beach’s website knowledge. A human customer representative can answer a wide variety of questions, understand your need in a more detailed way, provide specific instructions and are able to connect you to experts in each department of the City of Long Beach.

• How do I speak with a real person?

  To speak with a City of Long Beach representative, please visit https://www.longbeach.gov/whodoicall/ for a list of Long Beach Contact Phone numbers. 

• How does Elby know how to respond to questions?

  Elby’s knowledge is derived from City of Long Beach’s website. Elby can read, translate, and respond to your questions and provide the best answer using Artificial Intelligence.

• How can I access Ask Elby!?

  You can access Ask Elby! by visiting www.longbeach.gov and clicking on the Ask Elby! icon in the lower-right corner.

• What kind of questions can Ask Elby! answer?

  Ask Elby! uses the information on the longbeach.gov website to provide information about city services, including city-sponsored meetings and events, trash collection, parking, permitting and more. You can ask things like, “How do I order a new recycle bin?” or “Where is the closest library?”

• Is Ask Elby! available 24/7?

  Yes, Ask Elby! Is available online 24/7, ensuring you can get the information you need at any time.

• Is Ask Elby! able to provide personalized assistance?

  While Ask Elby! is programmed to provide general information, it can offer some personalized guidance based on a user's specific inquiries. Ask Elby! can also answer follow up questions based on initial answers. For security reasons, Ask Elby! cannot access personal information or accounts.

• Is there a limit to the number of questions I can ask Elby!?

  There is no limit to the number of questions you can ask Elby. Feel free to ask as many questions as you need to get the information you're looking for. The more questions you ask, the smarter Ask Elby! gets. Keep asking more questions!

• Can I use Ask Elby! for more complex or specific inquiries?

  Ask Elby! is equipped to handle a wide range of questions, but for complex or specific inquiries, it may direct you to the appropriate phone number or resource for further assistance.

• How is Ask Elby! continuously improving its service?

  Ask Elby’s capabilities are regularly updated based on user interactions and feedback. This ensures that it remains a reliable and efficient resource for accessing city services in Long Beach! You can also provide feedback on Elby by filling out this form!

• What languages does Ask Elby! support?

  During this initial 30-day trial period, the chatbot will support English; however, it will support Spanish, Tagalog, and Khmer once we permanently deploy it to production.     

• What is Artificial Intelligence?

  Artificial intelligence is the science of making machines that can think like humans. This technology can process large amounts of data in unique ways, aiming to recognize patterns, make decisions, and demonstrate human-like judgment. Elby uses AI to understand and respond in natural language, providing human-like conversations.

• How is my data being used with Elby?

  Elby will never ask you for personal information. Elby does not store any information besides what is in the conversation. Please do not provide any personal or sensitive information to Elby.

• Can Elby make calls on my behalf?

  Elby is not able to dial phone numbers. Any phone numbers provided by Elby should be dialed from your phone.

• What platforms or devices can I use Elby on?

  Elby is available on any internet browser, and many devices including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers.

• What if I have an emergency?

  Elby is unable to assist you with emergencies! If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency that requires Police/Fire/Ambulance, please dial 911. If you are unable to dial 911, you may text 911 immediately using the below steps.

  1. Enter 911 in the “To” line.
  2. Enter a brief message that includes the location of the emergency and type of service needed – police, fire, or ambulance.
  3. Click send.
  4. Respond to questions from the responding 911 specialist and follow the instructions they provide. 

  If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental-health or suicide crisis, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.