With the country in lockdown and the public eager for news surrounding covid-19, AI innovator ‘Soul Machines’ has introduced AI helper Bella to assist in the dissemination of information for times of public crisis. 

Created as a digital helper, Bella is available 24/7 with no wait times and is accessible by video stream from the cloud to any mobile or device. By introducing Bella to the New Zealand public, the high demand of field questions and calls that are currently flooding existing agencies and services centres will reduce. In turn, this will free up critical people resources to focus on challenging cases. 

Economical and user-friendly, Bella is a solution to an overwhelming demand for clear, concise information. The information she provides is easily digestible and up-to-the-moment and has been designed to be distinctively Kiwi, with an understanding of the questions specific to the population. 

Through Bella, Soul Machines is demonstrating how technology and AI can serve as a robust and efficient crisis communications platform. As New Zealand is progressing to a gradual reopening of society, Bella can assist even further by helping citizens to navigate the changing measures created to prevent the spread of the virus and restart industries and the economy. 

Helpers like Bella have already been developed with many of Soul Machines clients assisting them to keep in personal contact with the staff and customers in different parts of the world. 

Soul Machines co-founder and chief business officer Greg Cross says the team are pleased their technology can be used in future times of crisis as well as the current one. 

“When we started Soul Machines, creating engaging, personable digital helpers was an aspiration. 

“Now, we are pleased to be able to reimagine how the massive challenge of communication in a crisis could be done in the future, from earthquakes to bushfires and humanitarian events.”