In a pioneering move to support overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East, AI Business Solutions, a Philippine tech startup, has introduced an AI-powered service named “AI Assistant.”
Launched in collaboration with the Philippine Embassy in the UAE, the assistant offers 24/7 access to essential services and emergency assistance information.
The groundbreaking tool was previewed at the AI Summit Abu Dhabi 2023, an inaugural event held on October 14 at the Life Pharmacy Building, Abu Dhabi, and organized by Filipino entrepreneurs.
AI Business Solutions, co-founded by Valerie Fischer and Vener Sarmiento earlier this year, showcased their AI expertise alongside other notable AI solution providers.
Endorsed by His Excellency Alfonso Ferdinand A. Ver, the Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, the AI Assistant promises to revolutionize embassy-related services. It offers round-the-clock answers and reduces the wait time for vital support.
Designed to assist OFWs facing unpredictable circumstances, the AI Assistant can help with issues like lost passports, employer disputes, and emergency situations. Fischer noted that the tool, inspired by large language models like Chat-GPT, can understand various contexts and offer more human-like responses.
The collaboration between AI Business Solutions and Ambassador Ver was sparked by an initial discussion about AI’s potential in streamlining embassy operations.
The subsequent partnership focused on defining specific needs, budgetary considerations, and scalability concerns, ensuring the tool aligns with the embassy’s goals.
Ambassador Ver emphasized the changing dynamics in a post-pandemic world.
“The need to innovate government processes and adapt to advanced technologies has become imperative,” he stated.
The AI Assistant addresses these needs by assisting with passport renewals, visa queries, and providing quick emergency alerts and travel advisories.
The AI Assistant, although still in its beta phase, is striving to cater to a broad spectrum of Filipino languages, ensuring its accessibility and inclusiveness.
Supported by the Philippine Business Council in Abu Dhabi, Fischer assured a meticulous development process to benefit every OFW.
Ambassador Ver underscored the significant role the AI Assistant would play for the Filipino community in the UAE, which is home to approximately one million Filipinos.
“Introducing an AI-powered virtual helpdesk will not only modernize our service delivery but also expand its accessibility and availability,” he concluded.
