Build A Chatbot

In this project, learners will build their own chatbot that uses programming rules and artificial intelligence to have a conversation with users. With an engineering team, they will build their chatbot using Chatfuel, a platform that connects to a Facebook page, to provide information on a social issue of their choice.

To run Chatbots for Change, you will need...

  • A Facebook account
  • A Facebook page
  • Access to Chatfuel, platform to build the Chatbot
  • A Google Drive account, to access project materials

 

Student Project Feature

Major In a Bot-tle
Academy Park High School

This chatbot provides students with the information they need to decide on their major for college. You’ll answer a series of question that will help you make a choice.

Sample Activity

Introduction to Chatbots (10 mins)

(3 mins) Share the following video with your learners as an introduction to chatbots.

(7 mins) Facilitate a discussion with your learners using the following questions:

  • Q: Based on the video, what are some strengths of a chatbot?
    • A: Chatbots are great for helping to accomplish tasks that can be explained in a series of steps. A chatbot is well-suited to perform functions like: answering a set of specific questions; offering step by step suggestions; and sharing images, links, videos, text and more.
  • Q: Based on the video, what are some limitations of a chatbot?
    • A: Chatbots are not perfect and struggle to match a human's ability to have a complex conversation and solve problems – yet. For example, chatbots struggle to: remember previous parts of the conversation; understand emotional responses, and understand slang or unusual expressions.

Project Overview

PREP PHASE

3 Hours

Learners discover the world of engineering and form an Engineering Team. They'll explore how chatbots work and how Chatbots for Change can create a positive change in the world by having meaningful conversations with users. Engineering Teams will choose a topic that matters to them in preparation for building their Chatbot for Change.

SPRINT PHASE

10 Hours

Learners will work in teams to design, develop and test their chatbot using a Facebook Page, Facebook Messenger and Chatfuel. They will follow their list of engineering tasks (backlog) to build their chatbot using Chatfuel flows, blocks, cards, AI rules and more! At the end of this phase, learners will test their chatbot on Facebook Messenger and get valuable feedback from their peers.

FINISH PHASE

1 Hour

Learners will reflect on their engineering sprint experience: the product they created and the engineering process that led them there. Together, you'll submit your Chatbot for Change to Meta for a chance to win the Impact Award!