[Case 01]

Arizona Water Chatbot

Chatbot

Introduction
Problem Statement

Arizona faces severe water scarcity, and residents struggle to access real-time, reliable water information. The existing methods, such as government reports and fragmented sources, make it difficult for people to find accurate updates and conservation strategies.

Objective

To design an AI-powered chatbot that provides instant water updates, answers user queries, and encourages sustainable water usage among Arizona residents.

Tools

[Industry]

Environmental Technology

[My Role]

Lead Designer and Researcher

[Duration]

Aug 2023 - December 2023

[Client]

Arizona State University

Project Overview
Brief Summery

The Arizona Water Chatbot is an AI-powered assistant designed to provide real-time water updates and conservation tips. It simplifies access to water-related information, making it easier for residents to stay informed and take action.

Outcome
Improved user engagement
Simplified access to real-time water information
Enhanced understanding of water policies through a user-friendly chatbot.
Why is this Chatbot effective and what inspired this initiative?

Arizona faces a critical water crisis driven by prolonged drought, climate change, and rapid population growth. With the Colorado River system at historically low levels, ensuring sustainable water management is more vital than ever. The Arizona Water Chatbot was inspired by the need to provide residents with an accessible, real-time resource for water-saving tips, policy updates, and practical solutions. By empowering individuals and communities with actionable insights, this initiative seeks to transform awareness into impactful conservation efforts.

Is the Chatbot effective?

To determine the chatbot's effectiveness, we conducted primary user research and usability testing on the existing platform. I led research with 10 participants, all native Arizona residents, ensuring the chatbot was designed to meet their specific needs. This approach provided valuable insights, helping us refine the chatbot’s features and enhance its usability.

Research & Insights
Key Findings

Residents need a centralized, accessible resource for water updates and conservation tips.

Features like drought alerts and personalized advice are highly desired.

Users are open to intuitive chatbot solutions, even if unfamiliar with the technology.

Key Findings

Residents need a centralized, accessible resource for water updates and conservation tips.

Features like drought alerts and personalized advice are highly desired.

Users are open to intuitive chatbot solutions, even if unfamiliar with the technology.

Key Findings

Residents need a centralized, accessible resource for water updates and conservation tips.

Features like drought alerts and personalized advice are highly desired.

Users are open to intuitive chatbot solutions, even if unfamiliar with the technology.

Research Highlights

Interviews revealed a strong demand for actionable, localized guidance .

Comparative analysis identified gaps in existing tools like StoryMaps .

Research Highlights

Interviews revealed a strong demand for actionable, localized guidance .

Comparative analysis identified gaps in existing tools like StoryMaps .

Research Highlights

Interviews revealed a strong demand for actionable, localized guidance .

Comparative analysis identified gaps in existing tools like StoryMaps .

Takeaway

Design must prioritize simplicity, relevance, and engagement to meet user needs effectively.

Takeaway

Design must prioritize simplicity, relevance, and engagement to meet user needs effectively.

Takeaway

Design must prioritize simplicity, relevance, and engagement to meet user needs effectively.

User Demographics

Our primary user base was carefully selected to represent a diverse group of Arizona residents across various regions, including Phoenix, Prescott, North Arizona, and Tucson. The participants included:

Age Groups

18–25: Students and young professionals, primarily tech-savvy and environmentally conscious.

25–35: Residents who had lived in Arizona for over 7 years, balancing work and family life.

35–45: Business owners and community leaders seeking practical water management solutions.

45 and above: Long-term residents and government officials, focused on policy and community impact.

18–25: Students and young professionals, primarily tech-savvy and environmentally conscious.

25–35: Residents who had lived in Arizona for over 7 years, balancing work and family life.

35–45: Business owners and community leaders seeking practical water management solutions.

45 and above: Long-term residents and government officials, focused on policy and community impact.

Key insights from User Research
30%50%20%
Environmental Interest
Chatbot Familiarity
Social Platform Usage
Competitive Analysis
Demographics Insights
Age 18–25

Primarily focused on general information about water quality and sources.

Age 18–25

Primarily focused on general information about water quality and sources.

Age 18–25

Primarily focused on general information about water quality and sources.

Age 25–35

Showed interest in actionable water conservation techniques and future concerns.

Age 25–35

Showed interest in actionable water conservation techniques and future concerns.

Age 25–35

Showed interest in actionable water conservation techniques and future concerns.

Age 35–45

Focused on practical implications like water shortages and cost changes.

Age 35–45

Focused on practical implications like water shortages and cost changes.

Age 35–45

Focused on practical implications like water shortages and cost changes.

Age 45 and Above

Concerned with regulatory changes and data reliability and new upcoming changes

Age 45 and Above

Concerned with regulatory changes and data reliability and new upcoming changes

Age 45 and Above

Concerned with regulatory changes and data reliability and new upcoming changes

User Feedback on Trust and Reliability

During user testing, trust and reliability emerged as critical factors influencing user confidence in the chatbot’s responses. Here’s what users said:

Jhon Roberts

Marketing Manager

I liked the information the chatbot provided, but it would be more reassuring if the sources were mentioned. Knowing where the data comes from would make it feel more trustworthy

Alex Carter

Assistant proffessor

“I often doubt the reliability of chatbot responses since I can’t verify their sources. It would be helpful to have a way to check the information’s origin to boost my confidence in its accuracy.”

Key Obsesrvations
Not Following ASU Guidelines

Users noticed that some responses deviated from established guidelines, impacting the chatbot’s perceived accuracy and credibility.

Not Following ASU Guidelines

Users noticed that some responses deviated from established guidelines, impacting the chatbot’s perceived accuracy and credibility.

Not Following ASU Guidelines

Users noticed that some responses deviated from established guidelines, impacting the chatbot’s perceived accuracy and credibility.

Trust Issues Due to Source Credibility

A lack of source attribution for provided information raised concerns about trust and reliability.

Trust Issues Due to Source Credibility

A lack of source attribution for provided information raised concerns about trust and reliability.

Trust Issues Due to Source Credibility

A lack of source attribution for provided information raised concerns about trust and reliability.

Off-Topic or Overly Direct Responses

In some instances, the chatbot gave responses that were either unrelated to the user’s query or overly blunt, impacting user satisfaction.

Off-Topic or Overly Direct Responses

In some instances, the chatbot gave responses that were either unrelated to the user’s query or overly blunt, impacting user satisfaction.

Off-Topic or Overly Direct Responses

In some instances, the chatbot gave responses that were either unrelated to the user’s query or overly blunt, impacting user satisfaction.

Design Process

The design process began with rough sketches and low-fidelity wireframes, leveraging insights from research and user testing. Each iteration focused on addressing user pain points while adhering to ASU guidelines and core design principles, ensuring a user-friendly and intuitive experience.

Design

Wireframes were transformed into high-fidelity screens using Figma, with a focus on conversational design. Straightforward yet engaging interactions were crafted to reduce cognitive load and improve readability, ensuring an intuitive and user-friendly experience for all users.

Select this text to see the highlight effect