Welcome to the forefront of conversational AI as we explore the fascinating world of AI chatbots in our dedicated blog series. Discover the latest advancements, applications, and strategies that propel the evolution of chatbot technology. From enhancing customer interactions to streamlining business processes, these articles delve into the innovative ways artificial intelligence is shaping the landscape of automated conversational agents. Whether you’re a business owner, developer, or simply intrigued by the future of interactive technology, join us on this journey to unravel the transformative power and endless possibilities of AI chatbots.
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Since early October, Dargebotene Hand has been using a chatbot to supplement its human chat counseling service when no counselor is available.
Keystone
Due to high demand in German-speaking Switzerland, Dargebotene Hand has introduced an AI chatbot for its online counseling service. The organization 143.ch announced on Sunday that it is currently only able to respond to one in four chat inquiries.
Keystone-SDA
The chatbot has been in use since early October whenever no human counselor is available or outside of business hours (10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.). It is intended to serve as a bridge so that people in emergency situations are not turned away when no human contact is currently available. “Despite the use of a bot, the goal remains clear: more genuine conversations, more accessible volunteers, and more person-to-person support,” the statement said.
According to the press release, Dargebotene Hand plans to expand its human counseling capacity despite the bot. A new training course for volunteers will therefore begin in early 2027.
The organization emphasized that the bot is clearly recognizable as artificial intelligence (AI). It is a closed system that does not pretend to have a human connection and does not learn from conversations. The responses are based on verified and curated content.
For crisis situations, such as when someone makes suicidal remarks, the bot follows a predefined procedure. This includes an assessment of the urgency of the situation and information about emergency services.
The technology has already been tested by a Finnish partner organization. According to the report, approximately 25,000 conversations took place there over a period of ten months. Ninety-one percent of the feedback on individual messages from the bot was positive.
