WV’s First AI-Powered Chatbot Recognized with International Award for Innovation – Lootpress
CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The West Virginia Secretary of State’s virtual assistant, known as S.O.LO. (Single Online Location), has earned national recognition for innovation in government technology. At the 48th annual International Association of Commercial Administrators (IACA) Conference held in Manchester, New Hampshire, SOLO was awarded the 2025 Merit Award.
IACA, a leading organization for business registry professionals, honors jurisdictions each year that implement forward-thinking and impactful changes in their operations. SOLO, an AI-powered chatbot created by the WV Secretary of State’s Office, was recognized for transforming how business services are delivered in the state.
Launched in April 2023, SOLO provides 24/7 assistance to users seeking information on forming a business, filing an Annual Report, and accessing other key business services. It is powered by IBM Watson Assistant and Discovery Technology and was developed by the Secretary of State’s Business Division to reduce wait times and free up staff to handle more complex inquiries. Currently, SOLO assists more than 600 users each month.
Representing the WV Secretary of State’s Office at the IACA Conference were Business Division Director Sarah Carey, Customer Service Coordinator and Business Specialist Andrew Melone, and Director of Licensing Leah Powell.
“I’m very proud that the WV Secretary of State’s SOLO business initiative was recognized on an international stage,” said Secretary of State Kris Warner. “It’s wonderful that the hard work of our staff and the innovation coming out of West Virginia is setting an example for other states and countries.”
In addition to SOLO, the WV One Stop Business Center in Charleston continues to support entrepreneurs through partnerships with the WV State Tax Division, the WV Small Business Development Center, and the WV Grant Resource Center. These partners provide business coaching, guidance, and connections to financial resources.
SOLO is available on any computer or smart device and can be accessed by clicking the chatbot icon in the bottom-right corner of the WV Secretary of State’s homepage.
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