Dialogue with environmental data to simplify building applications

When companies need to apply for e.g. construction, environmental approvals, changes in land use and environmental assessments, access to the right environmental data is crucial. But with more than 1850 different reporting forms and a large number of professional systems, it can be difficult to find out what data you actually need.

This autumn, Danmarks Miljøportal will therefore initially launch a new AI-assisted search function, which helps users find the datasets they need, without knowing technical terms, abbreviations or data structures.

"We want to make environmental data more accessible – without compromising data quality. It's about AI helping you find the right information quickly and understandably," says Rasmus Løbner, head of function at Danmarks Miljøportal, and continues:

"The principle is that it should be as easy as asking a colleague who knows the subject: 'We want to expand a warehouse. What do we need to take into account?' – And get qualified suggestions immediately."

First AI-assisted search, later real chatbot functionality

The AI-assisted search will first be implemented in the Danmarks Miljøportal's data store, and on platforms such as Denmarks Arealinformation and Arealdata. Here, it will help users find e.g. data sets on soil contamination, building restrictions and protected areas – based on their own formulations.

At the same time, work is being done on a chatbot-like solution, where the user will be able to enter into an actual conversation with the database and continuously adapt their search, e.g. within environmental assessments and related appeals board decisions, in order to eventually end up with a real output. The solution is expected to be demonstrated in November, where it will then be tested on the Danmarks Miljøportal's platform for environmental assessments, EA-Hub.

DI: A welcome streamlining for the business community

The Confederation of Danish Industry sees technology as an important tool for streamlining and reducing the administrative work of construction projects.

"Too many companies spend far too many resources on figuring out what data they need – for example, when they need an environmental approval. If the solution works as intended, a 'dialogue with data' will be able to make the work easier and support faster and better case processing – also because both the business community and the authorities will have to relate to the same data and starting point, so that the risk of unexpected obstacles later in the process is reduced," says Karin Klitgaard, Deputy Director at DI.

The solution is based on Danmarks Miljøportal's new data catalogue, which collects metadata on over 1,100 data sets. On top of that, an AI layer is added that, via synthetic metadata, makes it possible to search freely, get suggestions – and gain an understanding of which data sets are suitable for the user's situation.

The development of the solutions is done with support from the Entrepreneur Package.