The Berlin district of Reinickendorf will pilot an AI language assistance system as part of Berlin’s 2026 smart city programme. The project, announced on April 27, focuses on providing real-time translation and transcription services to improve public access to municipal administration.

The initiative is organised by the Berlin Senate Chancellery in partnership with the Smart City Unit of Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und Technologie GmbH. The pilot aims to remove language barriers in public offices, specifically within the Office of Social Affairs, where clear communication is required for the delivery of essential services.

The AI software will detect spoken language and provide immediate digital transcriptions and translations during face-to-face administrative appointments. This technology is intended to make administrative processes more efficient and accessible to residents who are not fluent in German, supporting the city’s broader digital transformation goals.

Following the pilot phase in Reinickendorf, the results will be evaluated for potential expansion across other Berlin districts. The project forms part of a wider competition to develop and test innovative digital solutions for the city’s public sector.

“We not only want to think along with new technological approaches, but also to drive their development and practical testing in a targeted manner,” said District Mayor Emine Demirbüken-Wegner. “Reinickendorf wants to make new technologies usable for practice.”