Amazon UK trains Alexa to offer advice on periods
"The hope is that having useful and relevant information available on Alexa via voice will encourage an open environment for these discussions," he added.
In a bid to encourage more families to have open conversations around menstruation, Amazon UK has trained its virtual assistant technology Alexa on how to give advice to manage periods, the e-commerce company said.
UK teenagers can now ask questions such as "Alexa, what is regular period pain?", "Alexa, can periods affect my mental health?", "Alexa, how do you use period pads?", "Alexa, what is a typical age to start your period?","Alexa, what are reusable period products?","Alexa, where can I get free period products?", "Alexa, are reusable period products cheaper?"
To develop the new experience, Amazon worked with period poverty charity Freedom4Girls, utilising its research guides to teach Alexa the key information around the subject, including key information around period poverty and where lower income families can have access to period products in the UK.
When information about periods is requested, Alexa will also answer using information from the UK National Health Service (NHS) website.
"It`s so important that teenagers and parents alike can communicate with each other properly about periods. Whether you`re embarking on your first menstrual cycle, or if you`re helping someone you know prepare for their experience," Tina Leslie, Founder of Freedom4Girls, in a statement.
The `Period Talks` utterances are launched as over a third (37 per cent) of UK families with teenagers admit they are too embarrassed to have open conversations about menstruation, with a further 30 per cent revealing they struggle to talk about periods because they`re worried about saying the wrong thing, and over a quarter (26 per cent) stating that they`re concerned about handling difficult questions on the subject.
Yet, 80 per cent believe that having open conversations with family members reduces embarrassment and stigma of such sensitive subjects.
"Alexa can now act as a tool to help families navigate challenging conversations around menstruation," said Dennis Stansbury, UK Country Manager for Alexa.
"The hope is that having useful and relevant information available on Alexa via voice will encourage an open environment for these discussions," he added.
Get Latest Business News, Stock Market Updates and Videos; Check your tax outgo through Income Tax Calculator and save money through our Personal Finance coverage. Check Business Breaking News Live on Zee Business Twitter and Facebook. Subscribe on YouTube.
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Power of Compounding: How many years will it take to reach Rs 3 crore corpus if your monthly SIP is Rs 4,000, Rs 5,000, or Rs 6,000
IRCTC Dividend 2024: Railway PSU announces 200% interim dividend - Check record date and other details
Power of Compounding: Salary Rs 25,000 per month; is it possible to create over Rs 2.60 crore corpus; understand it through calculations
Reduce Home Loan EMI vs Reduce Tenure: Rs 75 lakh, 25-year loan; which option can save Rs 25 lakh and 64 months and how? Know here
New Year Pick by Anil Singhvi: This smallcap stock can offer up to 75% return in long term - Check targets
PSU Oil Stocks: Here's what brokerage suggests on these 2 largecap, 1 midcap scrips - Buy, Sell or Hold?
Power of Compounding: How many years it will take to reach Rs 2 crore corpus if your monthly SIP is Rs 3,000, Rs 4,000, or Rs 5,000
07:32 AM IST