Liverpool City Region is putting its ambition to lead in ‘AI for Good’ into practice, with technology developed by a local business helping international visitors explore the destination in 99 languages.
Following this week’s third annual AI Summit, the region has a success story rooted in the event itself. A meeting between Mayor Steve Rotheram and Liverpool-based Sum Vivas founders Rob Sims and Denise Harris at the inaugural summit led to the development of Jimmy, the region’s AI visitor guide.
The collaboration between Sum Vivas, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the region’s Destination Partnership now allows visitors to plan their trip through the Visit Liverpool website by speaking or typing in their own language. Following installations at the Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal and Southport Station, Jimmy is set to welcome passengers at Liverpool Lime Street.
The project reflects the central message behind the region’s AI programme: innovation should deliver practical benefits and make services easier to access. For an international visitor, that means being able to ask about transport, accommodation, River of Light or Christmas events without language becoming a barrier. Music, sport and food enthusiasts can explore the city before leaving home.
Sum Vivas reports that Jimmy has already handled more than 10,000 interactions.
“When we met Steve at the first AI Summit, the conversation was about how a Liverpool business could help the city welcome people from around the world,” said CEO Sims. “Jimmy is what grew from that conversation.
“Someone planning a Beatles trip from Brazil or a football weekend from France can ask questions in their own language before they travel. Bringing Jimmy to Lime Street will take that support into one of the city’s main arrival points. That is a practical example of what Liverpool’s AI ambition can deliver.”