JoanaBot is an accessible WhatsApp virtual assistant designed to transform how the community in Beira, Mozambique, understands and interacts with climate data. The project focuses on democratizing access to critical meteorological information through an intuitive, conversational interface, engaging the community in meaningful environmental discussions. It serves not just as a tool, but as a vital ally in mitigating local climate vulnerabilities and protecting the environment.

My Role and Leadership

I served as the Technical Lead and Project Coordinator, responsible for the end-to-end delivery of the solution:

• Project Design & Architecture: I led the projection of the chatbot’s user flow and interaction models.
• Backend Development: I built the core logic for conversational AI and natural language processing.
• API Integrations: I implemented the integration of meteorological APIs to provide real-time climate data.
• Team Coordination: I managed a multidisciplinary team, including AI specialists, software developers, and designers, to ensure a robust and user-friendly product.

Key Features

• Location-Based Forecasts: Personalized weather updates specific to different neighborhoods (Bairros) in Beira.
• 7-Day Outlook: Advanced planning features for weekly activities based on temperature, humidity, and wind data.
• Special Real-Time Alerts: Immediate notifications for extreme conditions, using keywords and emojis to signal risks like cyclones or heavy rain.
• Educational & Environmental Insights: Commands to explain climate variables (humidity, air quality) and tips on reducing environmental impact.
• Historical Data Access: Ability to consult past climate patterns to inform future community decisions.
• Continuous Learning: An AI-driven backend that improves responses over time by analyzing user interactions.

Technologies Used

• Python – Core backend logic and data processing for the chatbot.
• Node.js – Handling API requests and real-time communication services.
• Natural Language Processing (NLP) – For interpreting user messages and generating intelligent responses.
• WhatsApp Business API – To enable conversational interaction directly through WhatsApp.
• Meteorological APIs – Integration of real-time weather and climate data sources.
• RESTful APIs – For communication between services and external data providers.
• Cloud Infrastructure – Deployment and hosting of backend services for reliability and scalability.
• Git & GitHub – Version control and collaborative development.

Social Impact & Purpose

The project was designed to empower Young Digital Leaders to act as community multipliers. By simplifying complex data into accessible stories, JoanaBot helps save lives during climate emergencies, such as Cyclone Idai, by ensuring vital information reaches everyone, regardless of their technical expertise.