PIPELINEGuide
AI chatbot: using funding in Austria
For digitalization projects like AI chatbots, there are several funding programs in Austria. Which ones apply, what deadlines to observe, and where the most common mistake lies.
For digitalization projects, there are several funding programs in Austria, such as KMU.DIGITAL or the aws-Digitalisierungsförderung (aws digitalization funding). Whether and to what extent one of these currently applies to your project, we will review individually with you. Current terms: kmudigital.at, aws.at. The sequence is critical in any case: first the approved application, then the order for the AI chatbot.
01 — Funding
Subsidies in Austria
For digitalization projects, there are several funding programs in Austria, such as KMU.DIGITAL or the aws digitalization funding. Whether and to what extent one of these is currently relevant for your project, we'll review with you individually. Current conditions: kmudigital.at, aws.at.
Which program is relevant, how high the subsidy currently is, and whether the budget for the current funding period is still open changes regularly — plus there are regional funding programs that vary by federal state. Only the information from the funding agencies themselves is reliable, not a fixed percentage stated here.
The most common mistake is always the same: commission first, then want funding. That doesn't work. Allow several weeks of lead time for application and approval.
02 — Price
What it costs
- Price
- Individual based on effort
- Typical duration
- 2 to 4 weeks
One-time setup including knowledge base; ongoing operation depending on volume. A fixed price can only be quoted responsibly after the initial conversation — write us a brief description of your project and we'll send you a proposal that fits the scope and effort.
03 — Process
How a funding application works
Check funding program
Which program fits the project and company size. This determines the subsidy amount and effort.
Obtain quote
A quote is usually required for the application — commissioning does not happen yet.
Submit application
Submission with project description, cost breakdown and schedule.
Wait for approval
Only after approval is the commission placed. If you commission earlier, you lose the funding.
Implement and settle accounts
After completion, final accounting with supporting documents follows.
04 — Questions
Frequently asked questions
Does this even pay off for us?
The calculation is simple: requests per week times processing time times hourly rate. With twenty repeat questions per week and seven minutes each, that's a good two hours of work — every week. We calculate this with your real numbers before the quote.
Does this also work on a WordPress site?
Yes. The integration is a single code snippet in the footer and works the same on WordPress, Shopify, Webflow, Wix, TYPO3, or a custom-built site.
How much work does this create for us?
At the start, about two to three hours for gathering content and one alignment round. After that, nothing regular — unless you want to add new topics, which works through a simple document.
Doesn't an AI chatbot just make up answers?
A free-running language model does. That's why we build the bot so it only answers from a verified knowledge base and provides the source. If it finds nothing, it says so and redirects — that's the most important part of the configuration.
Can we turn the bot off again?
Anytime, with one click. The snippet remains, the bot is gone. There's no minimum term that binds you.
Do we have to label the chatbot as AI?
Yes. Since August 2026, the transparency requirements of Article 50 of the EU AI Act apply: Anyone communicating directly with an AI system must be able to recognize it. We build the labeling in as standard, it costs nothing extra.
What happens to our customers' data?
The conversations run through servers in the EU, no training is done with your data, and we write the appropriate section for your privacy policy. On request, chat logs are automatically deleted after a set period.
05 — Next
Related pages
- AI chatbot — Overview
- AI chatbot — Viability
- AI chatbot — Implementation
- AI chatbot — Duration
- AI chatbot — Pros and cons
- AI chatbot — AI disclosure
- AI chatbot — Team and acceptance
- AI chatbot — Alternatives
- WhatsApp chatbot
- AI phone assistant
- Customer support automation
- All guides
AI chatbot by region
Next step
Initial assessment, no obligation.
Briefly describe what you need. You'll get an honest answer about what's realistic and what it will roughly cost.