AI police assistant Bobbi launches in the UK
A new AI assistant is set to change how people seek police guidance online by giving quicker answers to everyday questions.
Police in the UK have begun trialling an AI assistant called Bobbi to help manage non-emergency queries online and reduce pressure on overstretched call handlers.
The virtual tool responds to common questions and hands conversations to a human operator if users request it or ask about issues it cannot resolve.
Developers say Bobbi follows the same guidance as trained call handlers and offers recommendations based on official advice, reflecting input from more than 200 testers, including victim support groups.
The system cannot investigate crimes or replace the 999 emergency line, and police emphasise that crime reports must still be made through existing channels.
Senior officers believe the tool will free up staff for emergencies and complex cases as demand for police contact continues to rise each year.
Leaders at Thames Valley Police and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, the first forces to deploy the technology, say the assistant will help ensure the public receives timely support.
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