On January 31, a unique event took place in Chile when environmental activists from Corporación NGEN collaborated with the local community in Quilicura to introduce Quili.AI. Unlike traditional chatbots, this innovative platform featured real individuals responding to queries from users globally. Approximately fifty residents volunteered their time, taking shifts to interact with users from around the world.
To mimic the experience of engaging with an AI assistant, the organizers assembled a diverse group of participants, including an artist, a chef, a translator, a soccer enthusiast, a dating consultant, and a nine-year-old tasked with simplifying complex explanations. Throughout a remarkable 12-hour period, this human-driven chatbot managed to address over 25,000 inquiries from 68 different countries. Participants offered travel advice, shared culinary tips, and even created a whimsical illustration of a yeti-octopus fusion.
The motivation behind this initiative stemmed from the challenges of water scarcity in Chile's capital region, where major tech companies like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon have established numerous data centers. The event aimed to raise awareness about the environmental impact of running chatbots, which consume significant resources, including water for cooling servers.
Rather than advocating for a complete withdrawal from AI technologies, the organizers sought to promote a more conscious approach to their usage and foster a deeper appreciation for human interactions. Campaign co-organizer Lorena Antimán emphasized the importance of personal connections, suggesting that for simple requests, such as a cupcake recipe, it might be more beneficial to consult a neighbor instead of relying on a chatbot.
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