Sam Toole, Terry College of Business, MSBA student
Aidan Downey, Terry College of Business, MSBA student
Jacob Croskey, Terry College of Business, MSBA student
Our project is an AI-powered chatbot designed to help Athens, GA residents—both students and non-students—easily discover and plan their participation in local events. Athens has a vibrant social and cultural scene, but information about events is often scattered across different platforms, making it difficult for residents to stay informed. Our chatbot solves this problem by consolidating event listings into a single, conversational interface, allowing users to quickly find events that match their interests and schedules.
Users can interact with the chatbot by asking natural-language queries like, “Plan a date for me on Monday,” or “What concerts are happening this weekend?” The chatbot then retrieves relevant event information from a dynamically updated database and presents a curated list of options. The system considers various factors such as event type, time, location, and price of the event to provide the best recommendations. The chatbot was developed using a combination of structured data retrieval and generative AI capabilities.
The core functionality is built on a database of local events that we created based on a number of local calendars and websites. To enhance the user experience, we integrated natural language processing (NLP) so the chatbot can understand a wide range of queries, including informal or vague requests. Additionally, generative AI refines responses by making them more conversational, contextual, and engaging. Rather than simply listing events, the chatbot can suggest personalized itineraries or provide additional details based on user interests.
Our development process followed an iterative approach, beginning with database design and chatbot logic before incorporating AI-driven enhancements. We also prioritized accessibility, ensuring the chatbot is available on the web for easy access with any device.
Ultimately, this project aims to increase engagement in Athens’ cultural and social scene by making event discovery more interactive and user-friendly. Whether students are looking for club meetings and campus activities or local residents want to explore live music and community events, our chatbot serves as a centralized, AI-powered assistant that fosters stronger connections within the Athens community.