Chatbot Aidy is simple, multilingual and can be used at any time. It helps international skilled workers with questions concerning the recognition of their foreign professional qualification. Find out in the interview how the chatbot was developed, what Aidy can already do and still has to learn.
The “Anerkennung in Deutschland” portal has now added a chatbot to its information offer in order to provide skilled workers with the best possible support on their way to recognition of their professional qualification. In the interview, project manager Karoline Kaibel-Kleinlütke and team leader Nathalie Schnabel explain why the chatbot was developed, what Aidy can already do and what enhancements are planned for the future.
Why was chatbot Aidy developed?
Nathalie Schnabel: We know that international skilled workers need a lot of information and advice on their way to recognition. We already offer extensive support through the “Anerkennung in Deutschland” portal, which is available in 11 languages, through the Recognition Finder and the counselling search. At the same time, artificial intelligence has caused changes in user habits – users are increasingly wanting information presented in line with their personal requirements in a structured and compact way. Aidy allows us to offer this on a low-threshold and multilingual basis – and fast. Aidy now searches for this information on the portal and from within our databases and presents it in a way which is tailored to requirements. It’s a great service for skilled workers.
What are you aiming to achieve with the chatbot?
Nathalie Schnabel: We want to use Aidy and this straightforward form of interaction to provide intuitive initial guidance and in this way support skilled workers on their way to recognition. Once again, this is significantly simplifying access to information and, at the same time, making it more individualised. We also hope that the service will ease the pressure on advice provision over the long term. This is because, in some cases and due to high demand, those interested in recognition are having to wait longer for an initial consultation appointment. If the initial guidance is provided digitally by Aidy, skilled workers are then well prepared when they attend the in-person counselling interview. Aidy is also able to resolve other questions directly. This frees up advice centre resources which means they can fully focus on supporting the application process and the rest of the procedure. It makes it a win-win situation for skilled workers and for the area of advice provision.
What were the key steps in the development?
Karoline Kaibel-Kleinlütke: We were breaking new ground with the chatbot and it was very exciting. To begin with, it was important to determine the content on the portal from which Aidy would draw the responses. Initially, the chatbot prioritised certain content and used it with above-average frequency. This was ultimately due to specific keywords in the text - we then responded to this gradually and made the adjustments. One unexpected positive side effect turned out to be that Aidy's responses helped us at a content level. The work on Aidy is not a one-sided process; it's not a one-way street. The content work is therefore an integral part of optimising the chatbot. The content of the portal and Aidy's responses benefit in equal measure from the results of this work.
What can Aidy do already?
Karoline Kaibel-Kleinlütke: Aidy is currently at the beta version stage and is continually being developed. The chatbot can already do a great deal. It processes website content in a targeted manner and in a way which is tailored to the user enquiry. For example, the chatbot provides answers to general questions – these include whether recognition is essential in a specific occupation for starting work in Germany. For answers about recognition procedures for specific occupations, Aidy currently refers users to the Recognition Finder results page. The language model understands many languages and Aidy will reply in German or, for enquiries made in a foreign language, in English.
What are the next steps for Aidy?
Karoline Kaibel-Kleinlütke: The next step we are planning is to integrate the database content of the Recognition Finder. This will enable Aidy to respond in a personalised way directly in the chat. For example, when occupation, place of residence and country of training are entered, the chatbot will then be able to directly identify an advice centre close to the place of residence, the language level needed for the occupation, the specific documents required and the individual competent authority for recognition. Over the course of the year, we intend to further improve the chatbot by means of traditional training. This will involve, for example, Aidy being trained in dealing with room for interpretation. We are also focusing closely on the issue of quality assurance – and continuously responding to the need for improvement. We are constantly testing and checking to ensure that Aidy supports users in an optimal way.
Nathalie Schnabel: The numbers show that this is working. Aidy is being very well received by users. Every day we are registering between 50 and 100 chats – which means demand is high. We now want to raise awareness of the chatbot and increase its reach so that Aidy can support even more skilled workers on their way to recognition.
Please draw attention to Aidy or integrate it in your work in order to provide optimal support for skilled workers and to simplify the recognition process. You can try out Aidy here.
The interview took place in June 2025. Karoline Kaibel-Kleinlütk is a research assistant in BIBB division “Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications” and is responsible for the web design of the recognition portal. Nathalie Schnabel is a team leader for the “Anerkennung in Deutschland” information portal Contact for questions: anerkennung_in_deutschland@bibb.de.
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