A new AI-powered app — Ask Dealia — promising to transform how Barbadians shop and track events has been launched, offering real-time price comparisons, promotions and personalised recommendations in a single digital platform.
Officially launched on Wednesday, Ask Dealia, which features an AI assistant, is aimed at revolutionising shopping and providing price transparency, allowing users to search for essential goods and other products, compare prices and receive notifications for promotions.
Ask Dealia is the second government-sponsored app to be launched in as many months. Pearlie, which was launched on June 9, is intended to change how the public reports problems with government agencies and accesses public services.
Business development and commerce minister Kerrie Symmonds said: “I am blown away by the fact that this app will now speak to deals. It will speak to specials. It will speak to promotions. It will speak to events. And as I said to you before, one of the things that I could not understand about the way we did this thing in Barbados for years, people would be going in a supermarket to check for the prices. There are hardware stores. There are people selling down in Broad Street that are selling clothes and all sorts of other things. The island is more than supermarkets.
“We have come to the point now where instead of you walking or driving going island wide, consolidated in one space virtually is a market with all the prices and all the opportunities whether you are looking for specials, promotions or events.”
Quinn Weekes, chief executive officer of Infolytics, Ask Dealia’s developer, said that more than 400 000 products and 2 000 companies are being tracked by the platform and that the number was growing.
Chief Executive Officer of Infolytics Quinn Weekes highlights features of the app. (Photo Credit: Jenique Belgrave/Barbados TODAY)
“One of the most exciting things is the actual AI agent, Dealia. Dealia is not just simply a chatbot; She is there to be your personal shopping assistant and also your shopping body in general. She learns from your conversations to understand you, your interests, your preferences, and is always on the lookout for deals and events that you may be interested in.
“You can get a notification directly to your phone. You can utilise Dealia and the platform in a whole to allow you to track certain occasions, whether it’s Father’s Day, Mother’s Day specials, and Crop Over to even back to school, and of course Christmas when it comes around.”
He pointed out that the app not only outlined savings and promotions but also kept track of price limits on items set by users.
The app would also prove helpful for residents and visitors in keeping them informed about what was happening on the island, Weekes said, highlighting events based on preferences.
“It has everything that you need and is a continually developing process so as we receive feedback, we will seek to create the best experience possible for all Barbadians and visitors.”
The app is currently available on the web at askdealia.gov.bb and on the Apple Store, and is expected to be available in the Google Play Store later this week. (JB)
