KIRA, the DOH’s COVID-19 information chatbot

Keeping people safe, informed, and protect communities during the current health crisis, Facebook shares its community guidelines. One of the initiatives includes KIRA, the friendly AI chatbot developed by the Department of Health (DOH) in partnership with Facebook.

Through KIRA (Knowledge Informs Responsible Action), people are able to gain knowledge and new information related to COVID-19. Now accessible via DOH’s Facebook page with Messenger, DOH Viber community, and KontraCOVID PH website, the chatbot provides common questions about the virus, tips on staying healthy, and a self-check tool to assess symptoms. To talk with KIRA, users will need to use their mobile device or a desktop connected to a stable internet connection.

MAY MGA KATANUNGAN KA BA ukol sa COVID-19 na gusto mong matugunan nang mabilis at tama? 🤔

Narito na si KIRA, ang ating friendly KontraCOVID Bot, upang sumagot sa inyo! I-message na si KIRA ngayon! 💬#BeatCOVID19#WeHealAsOne#COVID19PH pic.twitter.com/luqUpo6eTo

— Department of Health Philippines (@DOHgovph) April 23, 2020

Apart from Facebook, DOH also partners with Google, Senti, Aiah, A14GOV, Plan Internation, United Nations Development Program, and Rakuten to make KIRA available on other platforms.

The agency is currently working with telecommunication companies to offer the chatbot across all platforms for free.

The social media network are currently working on, focus on three key points: ensuring the sharing of correct and accurate information, limiting misinformation and harmful contents, supporting global and health authorities, and supporting local communities and business.