The Seoul city government said on Oct. 20 that starting in Nov., it will pilot an AI (artificial intelligence) wellbeing check service with two-way communication in 18 districts.
The pilot service allows eligible people to place calls directly through AI to request services when they have a need. Previously, it was only possible for the AI to call the person on a set schedule.
To build a stronger safety net, the Seoul city government will develop and offer the service with Naver Cloud. Since Oct. 2022, the city has provided smart wellbeing check services such as the AI wellbeing check service as one of the safety nets for households at risk of social isolation. Under the system, an AI system automatically calls the person to check on their wellbeing and needed welfare services, then relays the information to the neighborhood community center so the person can be cared for.
Accordingly, calls sent and received through AI can now be handled 24 hours a day via a partner of Naver's conversational AI service "CLOVA CareCall." When a person calls the AI two-way wellbeing check service to ask for help, the request is sent directly to the responsible agency such as the Community Service Center. CLOVA CareCall's partner, which handles monitoring, follows up on missed calls and help requests and connects them to guardians or the district's responsible public officials.
The Seoul city government said that with AI handling initial wellbeing checks and civil inquiries, staff can focus more on case management and managing high-risk groups. The city also plans to provide emotional support by connecting people who need human conversation to the "Goodbye Loneliness 120" counseling service. Goodbye Loneliness 120 is the city's emotional counseling support system that anyone can use 24/7, 365 days a year by phone or chat to discuss difficulties such as loneliness, isolation, and withdrawal. After calling the Dasan Call Center, follow the voice guidance and press 5 (Goodbye Loneliness).
Yun Jong-jang, head of Seoul's Welfare Office, said, "We will continue to work to build a more tightly woven social safety net, including by collaborating with various private companies."