Microsoft has unveiled a new WhatsApp chatbot called Jugalbandi, designed to help farmers and other users living in rural India access government schemes more easily.
The chatbot leverages ChatGPT-like generative AI technology to provide better responses in local languages, beyond India’s 22 officially recognized languages.
To use Jugalbandi, users simply send a text or audio message to a WhatsApp number. The chatbot will then transcribe the message to text, translate it to English, and retrieve information on the relevant government scheme from Azure OpenAI Service. The answer is then translated back to the user’s language and sent back to them.
Jugalbandi was unveiled at Microsoft’s Build 2023 event last night, where the company showcased new AI-backed tools. The chatbot is still at the nascent stages of development, but Microsoft hopes that it could one day offer all Indians “easy access to information in local language through a mobile phone”, instead of having to head to the local community service center and stand in long queues.
The chatbot currently supports ten of India’s 22 official languages and 171 of a total of approximately 20,000 government programs. Microsoft says that it is working with partners to add support for more languages and programs in the future.
Jugalbandi is a significant development for rural India, where access to information and services can be difficult. The chatbot has the potential to make it easier for people to access government schemes and benefits, which could have a positive impact on their lives.
Benefits of Jugalbandi
Jugalbandi offers a number of benefits for rural Indians, including:
• Easy access to information about government schemes and benefits
• Ability to access information in local languages
• Reduced travel time and cost to government service centers
• Increased convenience and efficiency
Conclusion
Jugalbandi is a promising new tool that has the potential to make a positive impact on the lives of rural Indians. The chatbot is still at the early stages of development, but Microsoft is committed to making it a success. With continued development and support, Jugalbandi could become a valuable resource for rural Indians and help them to improve their lives.
