AI chatbot named 'Bobbi' launched by South Yorkshire Police to handle non-emergency reports
'Bobbi' is available on the South Yorkshire Police website from today
A new AI chatbot has been launched by South Yorkshire Police, to help the force deal with non-emergency queries.
'Bobbi' is available on the South Yorkshire Police website from today, having already been tried out by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, Thames Valley Police, and Humberside Police.
The chatbot doesn't replace call handlers, or 101, and cannot be used to report a crime.
However it will be able to provide help with common questions someone may have about issues which are not an emergency.
Chief Superintendent Cherie Buttle, of South Yorkshire Police, said: "Bobbi will be a useful tool to help reduce calls to 101, save members of the public time, and provide concise and reliable answers to frequently asked questions.
“We receive more than 1,000 101 calls each day and we know that some callers can be waiting 20 minutes or more to speak to our staff during periods of high demand.
"By providing quick responses to non-emergency questions, Bobbi will enable those who prefer to use the AI assistant to save time otherwise spent calling 101 and enable those who do need to speak to one of our call handlers to get through quicker.
“I also recognise some people will have concerns around the use of AI, and I want to emphasise that Bobbi is a secure system. It is an alternative to, not a replacement, for some 101 calls.”