Chatbot Generation for Open Data Accessibility

Abstract

Open data, despite its availability, often remains inaccessible to the average person due to complex data formats and technical barriers. This challenge hinders the realization of open data’s transformative potential. Simultaneously, there is an ongoing evolution in human-to-machine interaction, with a notable emphasis on advancements in chatbot technology. In response to this issue, our research explores the integration of chatbots as tools to democratize access to open data. We present an approach that involves developing a natural language interface through the use of chatbots, enabling user-friendly access to open data, by allowing users to make meaningful queries, receive relevant information, and explore their selected JSON-formatted datasets. Our chatbot accepts user queries as input, which serves to extract specific information from the API and return it as output. Additionally, we have investigated the use and awareness surrounding open data by conducting a preliminary survey aimed at individuals with varying levels of technical expertise. With this research, we aspire to encourage the average person to discover information available through chatbots.