Helping vulnerable Ontarians find COVID-19 resources through their mobile devices

In Ontario, 94% of people facing homelessness own a phone, and 77% of them own a smartphone. As COVID-19 hit the province, it became harder for the homeless to find food and shelter while also having smartphone access to COVID specific resources. The team at Ample Labs identified this issue and decided to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) technology to help address it.

Ample Labs built an AI-powered COVID-bot app that provides an enhanced level of support to Ontario’s homeless population

As COVID-19 hit the province, many on the verge of homelessness struggled to obtain COVID-19 information and resources. With a $20,000 grant from the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, Ample Labs built an AI-powered COVID-bot app that provides an enhanced level of support to Ontario’s homeless population. Featuring an interactive chat platform and geo-tagging technology, the app directs users to relevant services near them. Organizations like regional police forces also use the app to extend the reach of their COVID-19 assistance.

"COVID-Bot was only a concept until we discovered the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation,” says Ample Labs CEO, CG Chen. “With the Foundation’s generous support, we were able to bring our COVID-Bot to life. Together, we have helped many vulnerable Ontarians find much-needed COVID-19 resources. Thank you, TFFF, for recognizing the social impact of our artificial intelligence chatbot technology.”

The TELUS Friendly Future Foundation continues to support organizations like Ample Labs that leverage technology to make Ontario’s COVID-19 response resources more accessible. Through this support we can help ensure that those who most need help find the resources they need.