Shallow Geothermal Potential In The Danube Region – Can Chatbots Help Plan The Way Forward?

Abstract

The utilization of artificial intelligence in decision-making is increasing every day, raising the question of its reliability in complex assessments. Therefore, this study examines the potential of chatbots to assess the feasibility of shallow geothermal resources across 8 European countries (Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia). The results provided by chatbots are analyzed in detail and compared against expert evaluations to identify their reliability. The study will provide the following: 1) insight into market differences of the mentioned countries, 2) insights into the limitations of AI-based assessments, and 3) a discussion on the potential of chatbots as tools for preliminary feasibility studies in everyday shallow geothermal system planning.