Philippines to Launch iTanong: A Filipino-Language ChatGPT Rival
The launch of ChatGPT in December 2022 captivated internet users worldwide. This innovative AI chatbot, however, resonated with Elmer Peramo of the Philippines. He recognized similarities between ChatGPT’s technology and the work his team had been undertaking at the Advanced Science and Technology Institute, a government agency. This recognition sparked a renewed push to bring their project, iTanong, to fruition.
iTanong: A Localized AI Chatbot
iTanong, conceived in 2017, is designed to be a Filipino-language equivalent of ChatGPT. Users can interact with the platform through a webpage, posing questions in either English or Filipino and receiving AI-generated responses. Peramo and his team, consisting of 12 members, initially faced challenges in building iTanong due to infrastructural and resource constraints. Now, with plans to launch next year, iTanong aims to provide a more comprehensive service than search engines or traditional chatbots. It will leverage both publicly accessible data and government databases containing private information, differentiating itself. The program’s extended capabilities will permit Filipinos to apply for welfare, amongst other functions. This move echoes similar technological advancements in various African nations that aim to build solutions tailored to their local languages and needs.
In a similar vein, iTanong reflects a growing global trend of building AI solutions that cater to the specific linguistic needs of their user base.
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