As part of its involvement in Michael Bloomberg's What Works Cities initiative, the town of Gilbert has launched a new Open Data Portal complete with "Alex," who guides users through the town's system of data.

Gilbert's new portal hosts data sets on community safety, growth and development, recreation and culture, finance, operations, transportation and facilities. As one of the 100 cities participating in the Bloomberg program, the portal is designed to be an online resource of public records and to promote government transparency. 

The new Open Data Portal features a guide named Alex, whose name was inspired by the Library of Alexandria, one of the largest libraries of the ancient world. Alex takes users step by step through the portal, guiding them on how to find specific data. 

"The goal of the Open Data Portal and Alex is to actively engage our residents and businesses and students through SPARK App League; teaching them to “connect the dots," the town said in a press release. "The data is only useful if residents, businesses and staff engage with it."

The new portal can be found at alex.gilbertaz.gov where residents can "ask Alex."