Planned Parenthood and Work & Co Launch AI Chatbot

Work & Co is behind the launch of Planned Parenthood’s first-ever AI chatbot. The new tool ensures the 100-year-old organization is providing teens with critical sexual health resources.

Said Work & Co’s Co-Founder Gene Liebel: “Brands and nonprofits have only scratched the surface of what AI can do. Helping teens access trusted information —especially when so many aren’t getting the sexual health education they really need— makes this a rare sort of digital product.”

As Planned Parenthood explored new ways to use technology to extend their reach, the organization tapped Work & Co to help find solutions for penetrating hard-to-reach audiences. After conducting months of research, Work & Co designed and developed the AI chatbot, which is dubbed “Roo.” In keeping with a philosophy of creating products with, and not “for” audiences, Work & Co partnered with students from Brooklyn charter school MESA (Math Engineering Science Academy) to conduct field research, test concepts and even name the product.

Roo offers personalized support 24 hours a day, where teens increasingly spend time: on their mobile devices. A range of information can already be found on topics ranging from relationships and STDs to masturbation and contraception. As users interact with the tool, it will be trained to add more topics.

“We know that many young people are nervous or embarrassed to ask questions about their sexual health, and that they often look for information online,” said Dr. Leana Wen, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.” They want to be able to ask their questions anonymously and get a reliable answer they can trust. As the nation’s largest provider of sex education, Planned Parenthood believes that all young people, no matter where they live, have the right to the information and skills they need to protect their health and plan their futures — and we’re excited for Roo to be a resource for them to get the personalized answers they need.”

This is Work & Co’s second product launch with Planned Parenthood in the past year, having earlier launched Tracking Trump. To start using Roo, head here.

Check out coverage in the Wall Street Journal, AdAge, Adweek.com, The Muse by Clio, Mashable and Fast Company.