Citizens' assembly recommends care chatbot

From April to June 2026, North Rhine-Westphalia hosted its first statewide Citizens’ Assembly. The question to be addressed by the participants was: Intergenerational Public Services - How can digital progress and the use of AI support a self-determined life well into old age, even in the event of illness or the need for care? On June 23, 2026, the Citizens’ Assembly members presented their recommendations to State Parliament President André Kuper (CDU).

AI chatbot proposed

Among other things, the Citizens’ Assembly proposes the introduction of an AI chatbot as a central digital point of contact for all questions related to long-term care. According to the assembly’s report, the bot should also enable users to submit applications directly to the relevant agencies, insurance funds, and service providers. However, this digital service must be supplemented by local contact persons such as “neighborhood nurses,” health kiosks, or procedural guides.

To make digital services more user-friendly, the Citizens’ Assembly proposes that care apps should be available on a unified platform in the future. To this end, long-term care insurance funds should also agree on minimum standards for care apps. Furthermore, the mini-public advocates for the widespread use of robots in nursing homes to relieve the burden on care staff.

In addition to proposals for the use of AI and digital tools, the Citizens’ Assembly also calls for the promotion of communal living - for example, in multigenerational homes or housing projects with integrated support services - as well as more neighborhood projects, community centers, and gathering places in local communities.

Passion in the Citizens’ Report

After a first glance at the Citizens’ Assembly’s recommendations, State Parliament President Kuper observes, “Above all, there is passion in this Citizens’ Report.” Everyone is driven by the desire to make everything they experience just a little bit better. Everyone has different ideas. In a democracy, he says, we must find solutions that a majority can agree on. That isn’t always easy.

“But you have succeeded in striking a balance between different opinions - with very concrete recommendations. This is a very valuable contribution to the work of us legislators. “And your dedicated efforts are certainly giving momentum to the idea of strengthening citizens' assemblies,” Kuper said at the closing event of the citizens' assembly.

Mini-public met from April to June 2026

From 17 April to 23 June 2026, the members of the Citizens' Assembly met on eight days. The mini-public consisted of 78 people who were selected at random from among all residents of the state. To fill the seats in the assembly, 5,000 people aged 16 and over from across North Rhine-Westphalia were invited to participate. 376 of those invited (7.5 percent) had applied to become a member of the mini-public.

The composition of the Citizens' Assembly reflected the population in terms of age, gender, origin, community size and highest level of education of the participants. ‘The selection process must ensure that a representative cross-section of the population is randomly selected, taking into account factors such as living situations (e.g. shift workers, single parents), diversity and inclusion,’ states the state parliament's resolution of 31 January 2025.

"This is exactly the right place for me"

When Eva Dalyan from Hattingen received her invitation to the Citizens’ Assembly, she initially thought it was a joke. “I didn’t go to university, I’ve got nothing to do with politics, so I thought it couldn’t be true,” she said in an interview with the WAZ.

Before the first meeting, the 43-year-old carer for nursing home residents and people with dementia was nervous. “I thought, right, the time has come. Hopefully I won’t be out of place.” But she was soon convinced: “This is exactly where I belong. As an ordinary citizen. We’re a real mix – young, old, from all walks of life. We’re genuine. And we’re allowed to speak our minds!”

Dalyan enthuses: “Many say politicians make decisions over our heads. But here, we’re heard. It’s completely transparent. That’s what builds trust between citizens and politicians. I’m absolutely convinced of it.”

“We really are very different”

“We really are very different - in terms of age, our professions, and even when it comes to physical fitness and limitations. That naturally brings a wide range of perspectives,” says 31-year-old administrative assistant Jennifer Pierschalka from Warstein. In keeping with the theme, many also bring experience from the healthcare field or from caring for family members.

Frank Stegemeier, a 49-year-old father also from Warstein, finds “this insight into political work incredibly exciting. It makes it much easier to imagine things and gives you insights you wouldn’t otherwise have.”

Recommendations for the state parliament

After ten weeks of deliberations with meetings held in person and digitally, the Citizens' Assembly presented its recommendations to the state parliament for discussion. A debate on the citizens' proposals will be held with the participation of all members of parliament. The recommendations will then be forwarded to the relevant committee of the state parliament for discussion.

The Citizens' Assembly was scientifically monitored and checked for compliance with quality standards for mini-publics.

Citizens' assemblies recommended by commission of enquiry

As early as 2021, a commission of enquiry of the North Rhine-Westphalian state parliament recommended the increased use of randomly selected citizens' assemblies. According to the commission's report at the time, sortition ‘allows different ideas and interests to be incorporated more strongly and citizens who are underrepresented in other - parliamentary and direct democratic - procedures can also participate in the process’.

The commission consisted of 13 members from all political groups and five expert members. In nine hearings and participation formats, more than 80 experts gave their opinions on the topic of ‘subsidiarity and participation’.

Parties in favour of mini-publics

Before the NRW state elections in 2022, the SPD, Greens and FDP, among others, had spoken out in favour of citizens' assemblies. In an online event organised by the ‘Mehr Demokratie’ association, members of the state parliament from the CDU, SPD, Greens and FDP were also in favour of mini-publics. After the state elections, the CDU and Greens had stipulated in their coalition agreement that they would ‘trial two citizens’ assemblies (...) on selected topics at state level’.