GovGenie | Devpost

Logo of GovGenie
Landing page for GovGenie
Showing eligible programs for user
Chat program between AI and user for government assistance
Another chat example

Inspiration

For underrepresented communities, who might not know where to begin or which programs apply to them, navigating government aid can be difficult, time-consuming, and frequently inaccessible. Our goal was to reduce that barrier by simplifying the eligibility process into a simple conversation.

What it does

GovGenie is an AI-powered chat experience that helps users figure out which government programs and benefits they’re eligible for. Users answer a series of guided questions about their situation, and GovGenie identifies relevant aid programs, explains why they qualify, and provides clear steps and links on how to apply, along with extra context when needed.

How we built it

We built a Flask backend that handles user input, eligibility logic, and API orchestration. The frontend is built with Next.js to deliver a responsive, chat-style interface. We use the Gemini API as our generative AI engine to interpret user responses, reason about eligibility, and generate personalized guidance in plain language.

Challenges we ran into

One challenge was balancing flexibility and accuracy, ensuring the AI could handle diverse user scenarios without providing misleading information. We also had to carefully design prompts so the model stayed focused on eligibility rather than generic advice, while keeping responses concise and understandable.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We’re proud that GovGenie turns a traditionally intimidating process into something approachable and human. The project demonstrates a creative use of the Gemini API to empower users with actionable information, especially those who are often underserved by existing systems.

What we learned

We learned how critical prompt design and guardrails are when building AI for real-world decision support. We also gained hands-on experience integrating generative AI into a full-stack application and designing for accessibility and clarity.

What's next for GovGenie

Next, we want to expand program coverage, add location-specific eligibility, and support more languages. Long term, we aim to partner with community organizations to make GovGenie a trusted entry point for accessing government support.