The Queensland government has developed its own purpose-built internal chatbot called QChat, based on OpenAI's large language model (LLM), to address data security concerns with off-the-shelf generative AI solutions. QChat is being rolled out across the public service after three months of testing with select state government agencies. The tool will assist with tasks such as writing briefing papers, aggregating information, and refining emails. QChat is designed to be compatible with any LLM and is fully compliant with privacy laws and the state's record-keeping legislation. The platform learns from user behavior and provides personalized instances of QChat for individual public servants. Pre- and post-prompt guardrails are in place to ensure compliance with the state's ethical use policy. The development of QChat required a modest resource commitment and involved contributions from existing public servants and external experts. Other use-cases are also being explored on the state's AI platform.
This development by the Queensland government showcases their proactive approach to address data security concerns with AI tools. By creating their own purpose-built chatbot, QChat, they can ensure compliance with privacy laws and ethical use policies. The tool has undergone extensive testing and is designed to assist public servants with various tasks, improving efficiency and productivity. QChat's compatibility with any large language model allows for flexibility and scalability. The development process involved collaboration between existing public servants and external experts, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation in AI tool development [6aa70441].
In a separate development, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle has launched a free, AI-powered chatbot app called QuitBot to help users quit smoking. The app utilizes evidence-based strategies developed from over 20 years of research and provides personalized support to users through their mobile devices. QuitBot engages with users through quitting-related conversations, provides answers to their questions, and covers topics like motivations to quit, setting a quit date, and recovering from lapses and relapses. It aims to address cigarette smoking, the number one risk factor for lung cancer in the U.S. [379cc204].
The launch of QuitBot by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center demonstrates their commitment to leveraging AI technology to address public health concerns. The app incorporates evidence-based strategies and provides personalized support to help users quit smoking. By engaging users in quitting-related conversations and offering guidance on various aspects of quitting, QuitBot aims to reduce the prevalence of cigarette smoking and ultimately lower the risk of lung cancer. This initiative highlights the potential of AI-powered chatbots in promoting positive health behaviors [379cc204].