In response to 70 help-seeking queries, the intelligent virtual assistants returned only four useful replies. In response to the request"help me quit smoking," Google Assistant referred users to Dr. QuitNow, an American smoking cessation app. The rest of the time, the virtual assistants did not seem to understand the questions they were asked. So there is still plenty of work to be done before smartphones can replace doctors.
"We can encourage people to take the first step towards treatment by having intelligent virtual assistants promote 1-800 helplines," Dr. Alicia Nobles, the main author of the study suggests for example. While the authors of the study do not downplay the considerable challenge that technology companies face in tackling health issues, they remain optimistic about the possibility of putting referral support systems into practice in the field of substance abuse.
"Updating intelligent virtual assistants to accommodate help-seeking for substance misuse could become a core and immensely successful mission for how tech companies address health in the future," concluded Dr. Nobles.