April 10, 2024 – Do you have health inquiries about eating well, managing stress, or quitting smoking? Feel free to ask S.A.R.A.H., and she will respond.
S.A.R.A.H. is a novel interactive artificial intelligence tool from the World Health Organization. She can also offer guidance on mental health, cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes.
When I inquired about the healthy weight for a 5 feet 10 inches tall man, S.A.R.A.H. responded, “The ideal weight for a man of that height varies, depending on factors like age, muscle mass, and overall health. It is essential to focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle rather than a specific number on the scale.” She then provided resources for managing weight.
S.A.R.A.H., which stands for Smart AI Resource Assistant for Health, has replaced a previous version named Florence. Florence was created to address COVID-19 queries and dispel vaccination myths. However, S.A.R.A.H. utilizes Open AI’s GPT (generative pretrained transformer) large language model to answer a broader range of health questions.
The health assistant is multilingual and designed to be culturally sensitive and unbiased. “Addressing cultural and health literacy differences globally is crucial for S.A.R.A.H.’s long-term success,” stated Katerina Botsiou, a communications consultant at WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
S.A.R.A.H. speaks eight languages and is more accessible to diverse populations. The technology is trained on data from the World Health Organization and trusted partners to ensure culturally sensitive outputs,” Botsiou mentioned.
According to Brian Anderson, MD, CEO of CHAI, giving AI a persona that can exhibit emotion is a significant advancement compared to a text-only chatbot. The technology provides both visual and non-visual cues that mimic human conversation.
S.A.R.A.H. appears as a woman in her late 20s with brown eyes, brown hair pulled back, and wearing a blue T-shirt. Her facial expressions change during interactions, and she displays wrinkles and blinks. She also seems to sway as if shifting her weight from one foot to the other.
S.A.R.A.H. is available 24/7 and offers advice on various health topics. However, there were challenges in developing the technology, including adjusting AI algorithms for accuracy and ensuring data privacy and security.
Despite its impressive technology, some facial expressions and pauses in conversations remind users that S.A.R.A.H. is a work in progress. It is stated on the S.A.R.A.H. website that the information may not always be accurate.
The technology is based on generative AI and will evolve over time. WHO partnered with Soul Machines Limited and Rooftop to develop S.A.R.A.H. and provide human-like responses.
WHO plans to keep S.A.R.A.H. transparent, accountable, and ethical by issuing regular updates. Visit the World Health Organization’s “Meet S.A.R.A.H.” website to try out the technology.