New AI-powered app aims to answer every question about life in London, Ont.

A new app aims to connect residents and tourists alike to everything the city has to offer. Gerry Dewan reports.

The new ‘MyLondon’ app is launched on Wednesday evening and is designed to answer all questions about life in London, Ont.

About 300 people gathered Wednesday evening at Toboggan Brewing Company on Richmond Street for the launch of the app — designed to be used by tourists, job seekers, entrepreneurs and newcomers, or just someone looking for something fun and interesting to do.

“There is not one other community in the country that I’m aware of that has done something like this,” according to Lee Vijayabalan.

Vijayabalan is CEO of Welcome Platform, a Sarnia-based development team that developed the app, conceived by staff with the London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC).

Using federal COVID recovery money, it was originally envisioned as a way to help support businesses and entrepreneurs, but the LEDC soon partnered with the London City Hall, Tourism London, Western University and Fanshawe College to dramatically scale up what the app could do.

LEDC CEO Kapil Lakhotia told the gathering, “‘MyLondon’ app is about putting technology to work for residents, newcomers, students and visitors so that everyone can have access to resources, discover opportunities and experience London in a way more connected and personalized way.”

The app includes an AI feature that allows users to identify interests and lets the app make recommendations.

Vijayabalan told CTV News, “We’re focusing on usefulness, right? How can you, as a citizen in London, be able to use AI to find primary care provider or a crisis center, or someone that can help you with a problem that you have or just find something to do without having to spend all the energy that comes with it.”

The key now is to spread the word, with an understanding that the app will need to be refined. London Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis encouraged those gathered for the launch to download the app and make recommendations, “It’s a work in progress. We are going to find some, you know, tweaks along the way that are going to need to be made. So, you’re the test group.”

Lewis also stressed the importance of letting others know about the app.

Vijayabalan said data gathered through the app will also help the city and its partners target-market events and features to attract even more visitors.