Peter van Rijt

Hello everyone,

Recently, an incident within the AndroidAPS Users group sparked some introspection. It also led to ideas about how we can better support our vibrant online community. It’s a group full of enthusiastic and helpful people, but as with all things, challenges arise from time to time. I wanted to share a few thoughts and a potential way forward, combining innovation with our existing strengths.

The Challenge

Online communities are lifelines for many of us, especially in specialized areas like managing Type 1 diabetes with AndroidAPS. However, we’ve noticed a trend: an increasing number of members ask questions without first consulting the documentation. For experienced members, it can be frustrating and time-consuming to address these questions repeatedly.

This tension became evident recently when a dedicated and knowledgeable group member expressed frustration and decided to leave the group. Another moment of reflection came when a parent of two Type 1 diabetic children retracted a query after receiving negative reactions. These incidents, while unfortunate, highlight a challenge we need to address: supporting newcomers effectively while avoiding burnout for our experienced contributors.

A Possible Solution: AI-Powered Assistance

As an IT Service Manager and software developer, I’ve been exploring how AI could help bridge the gap between beginners seeking basic information and experts focused on more complex questions. AI could serve as an initial support line. It could answer simple queries based on documentation. This would allow experienced users to focus on nuanced discussions and problem-solving.

Here’s a quick outline of the idea:

1. AI-Powered Self-Service: Using AI tools like DuckDuckGo AI or other tooling using open-source models, we can create a system that responds to routine questions, guiding users to existing documentation while ensuring clarity and urgency.
2. Language Accessibility: The AI solution could translate responses into various languages, fostering inclusivity for users worldwide.
3. Community Moderation: While AI handles repetitive queries, moderators and administrators of Facebook groups can focus on maintaining quality discussions and addressing unique issues.
4. Exploration Team: A small group of like-minded individuals from the community could spearhead this initiative, collaborating to refine the approach. I’d like to gather a team to actively work on this concept and explore its potential together.

Example

I answered a basic question within one second using the anonymous and free DuckDuckGO AI Chat:

…and then translated to Dutch in under 1 second! (with this free model it can be translated into 8 languages, including English, German, French, Italian, Portugese, Hindi, Spanish, and Thai)

Next Steps

I’ve shared this idea with two individuals who have been vocal about their experiences, and I’m curious about your thoughts. If you’re intrigued by the idea or have suggestions, I’d love to hear from you. Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities, making the group even more supportive and welcoming.

Let’s collaborate to ensure everyone can navigate the complexities of AndroidAPS without feeling overwhelmed. Your participation, thoughts, and expertise can shape a solution that truly serves us all.

Cheers,
Peter

P.S. This article was created with the support of AI and translated into English.