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Lack of access to smartphones or the internet poses a challenge for visually-impaired individuals. However, a solution has emerged in the form of an Artificial Intelligence-powered mobile phone capable of functioning offline.
Using apps – illustrative photo. Image credit: NordWood Themes via Unsplash, free license
Launched by Canada-based Viamo in Nigeria recently, this service enables individuals, even those in remote areas without internet connectivity, to leverage AI technology.
Viamo utilizes a conventional handset to connect to local mobile phone networks, allowing users to submit commands or information requests via SMS or voice calls. Similar to other AI chatbots, this system can be activated through voice prompts, making it accessible to illiterate individuals. Furthermore, it offers a cost-effective alternative, particularly beneficial for financially constrained users.
Designed to serve the world’s poorest and most remote communities, the device is now being introduced in Pakistan, India, and Tanzania following its initial launch in Zambia.
Supported by development agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other nations, Viamo has partnered with UNICEF to disseminate information on various topics including HIV, tropical diseases, nutrition, and sanitation, demonstrating its potential to address critical healthcare and educational needs in underserved regions.
Written by Alius Noreika
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