A Hybrid Multi-Modal System for Conducting Virtual Workshops Using Interactive Voice Response and the WhatsApp Business API

Abstract: Interactive voice response (IVR) forums such as CGNet Swara and Avaaj Otalo have played a pivotal role in empowering marginalised communities by providing an avenue to make their voice heard through simple phone calls. At the same time, growing internet penetration and affordable data plans are altering the ways in which rural Indian communities access and consume information. Within the context of a shift from voice to richer content environments, we present the design of a multi-modal awareness generation and data collection platform built around IVR and the WhatsApp Business API. This model was deployed for delivering virtual training modules to cotton farmers in rural Maharashtra. During the 27 day deployment, 176 people participated in the intervention, out of which 122 and 54 attempted the modules on IVR and WhatsApp, respectively. In this paper, we highlight some of the interesting findings and lessons learnt during the intervention.