WhatsApp and WHO recently collaborated to create a chatbot that will dispense accurate information related to the outbreak of the coronavirus. Users on the WhatsApp platform will now have the ability to type a message, reading ‘Hi,’ to the WHO Health alert number, which is, +41 79 893 1892. Following the message, the WHO will respond with up to date information about the illness as well as emojis. WhatsApp also donated a sum of $1 million USD, which will go toward fact-checking efforts.
Overall the partnership between WhatsApp and WHO will ensure that more people are receiving accurate information related to the illness. Additionally, this will help to curb any misinformation that may be currently circulating, which can impede people's ability to respond proportionally to the situation.
Informational Virus Chatbots
WhatsApp and WHO Launched a Chatbot Providing COVID-19 Information
Trend Themes
1. Informational Chatbots - The collaboration between WhatsApp and WHO to provide accurate COVID-19 information highlights the trend of using chatbots as a reliable source of information.
2. Dissemination of Accurate Information - The partnership between WhatsApp and WHO addresses the trend of ensuring that accurate information reaches a wider audience, countering the spread of misinformation about COVID-19.
3. Combatting Misinformation - The chatbot created by WhatsApp and WHO focuses on combating the trend of misinformation surrounding the coronavirus outbreak, helping to educate and inform the public.
Industry Implications
1. Messaging Platforms - The collaboration between WhatsApp and WHO highlights the potential for messaging platforms to serve as effective channels for disseminating accurate information to a large user base.
2. Healthcare - The partnership between WhatsApp and WHO demonstrates opportunities for the healthcare industry to leverage chatbot technology to provide reliable information and improve public health outcomes.
3. Technology - The use of chatbots by WhatsApp and WHO showcases innovative applications of technology to address the challenge of combating misinformation, opening up opportunities for further technological advancements.