Local software development firm Tati Software has recently introduced MobileGPT, a adaptations of ChatGPT, backed by OpenAI’s technology, accessible via WhatsApp. This AI-powered chatbot offers numerous useful features, allowing users to hold conversations through text input, generate documents, and perform real-time research with LiveData.
ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer) was launched by OpenAI, a Microsoft-backed US AI research lab, in November 2022. Originally a web-based platform, it incorporates OpenAI’s GPT-3 family of large language models, and its functions are fine-tuned with supervised and reinforcement learning. It additionally provides responses akin to human conversations, composes prose and computer code upon request, and more.
Impressed with the program, Microsoft made it accessible in Azure OpenAI Service in March. There, customers can utilize the chatbot or choose from other AI models, such as Dall-E 2, GPT-3.5 and Codex, customize the platform in accordance to their own application use cases, and secure computing power from Azure. Companies both locally and globally have since integrated ChatGPT into their services.
In Africa, Tati Software has applied the publicly available API to release MobileGPT, and has made it available to students, learners, and professionals alike. It is designed to bring open AI to more people as it can be accessed through smartphones and feature phones.
The team behind this local tech company stated that MobileGPT has the potential to save time during workflows, communication and presentations by intelligently condensing tasks. The platform also respects user privacy, as only phone numbers are stored and never shared with third-party sites. Furthermore, no customer data or produced documents are stored.
Effects such as job loss due to automation were discussed but the firm argued that new technologies also create engineers and consultants with developed skills, so there is added value to society. MobileGPT comes at R199 for South Africans, and $20 for users outside the country every month.
Tati Software is a black female-owned and managed firm, based in Johannesburg, that develops technologies specifically for sub-Saharan African. Its founder and owner Bertha Kgokong, views their services as a way to improve productivity, help people efficiently go through their everyday business, and better integrate AI into communication.
The main difference between the web version and WhatsApp edition is the convenience of easy access. This can increase engagement and availability. Furthermore, the interface is initially perceived since it is conveniently tied to familiar applications.
This chatbot is constantly under the spotlight due to its need for regulation, the concerns of privacy and the impact of automation on employment. One example is Italy which, in March, outlawed ChatGPT as it was thought to collect private data without consent.
Overall, with MobileGPT, Tati Software wants to spread the generative AI experience in African countries, where the access to technology is normally limited. This could prove to be a beneficial resource, that could revolutionize communication regardless of each user’s access area.
