Chatbot helps anti-bullying charity cut service delivery costs by 97%

An artificial intelligence powered chatbot has helped an anti-bullying charity dramatically reduce the cost of its service delivery, latest figures have revealed.

The Cybersmile Assistant is a chatbot service launched by the Cybersmile Foundation last year to offer advice on a range of issues, including cyberbullying, body image, online safety and mental health.

It is used by the charity globally, including the UK, the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

Latest figures from the charity show that the average cost of support it provides to each person has been slashed from £3 to 8p, a 97.3% fall.

The figures have been released as the charity updates the chatbot, to coincide with Anti-Bullying Week (November 16-20). The update includes revamping the development of the virtual assistant’s advice as well as overhauling the interface.

The artificial intelligence it uses means chatbot can identifying trends around bullying and emerging problems in real time and react to user’s specific needs.

“In terms of cost effective and scalable support solutions, our Cybersmile Assistant has transformed our capacity to help and support those in need,” said Cybersmile Foundation co-founder Dan Raisbeck.

“Reduced costs, minimal wait-times and a reactive centralised resource all make for more lives changed and saved around the world.”

The chatbot has been launched with support from the company Rimmel London.

Rimmel London senior director Sarah Alshohaib added: “It is incredible to see the impact the Cybersmile Assistant has had so far, helping over 200,000 people since it launched. We’re delighted to be working with Cybersmile throughout 2021, enabling them to expand the tool further to tackle key issues including racism, mental health and digital wellbeing”.