Police Tests Chatbot Bobbi for Non-Emergency Calls

• The chatbot Bobbi responds to non-emergency inquiries from the public.
• Its implementation does not imply a reduction in police status.
• Bobbi was tested among 200 people prior to its implementation.

Two police forces in southern Great Britain, Thames Valley Police and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, have launched the chatbot based on artificial intelligence named Bobbi. This innovation aims to respond to frequently asked questions that do not pertain to emergency situations, and to help reduce the burden on call center operators.

The leading superintendent Simon Dodds stated that the launch of Bobbi does not indicate a reduction in police status. According to him, the police receive nearly 5,000 calls daily, and it is important to prioritize emergency calls.

Bobbi operates as an additional service, alongside existing telephone lines and online forms. The chatbot can respond to inquiries based on the information provided by call centers. If Bobbi is unable to respond, or if any user wants to speak with a person, the call will be redirected to a police officer.

The chatbot underwent testing among over 200 people during its development, including representatives of victim support groups. Bobbi plans to continuously adapt its responses to the needs of the community.

Tags: Europe/Technology/AI