The Mixed Migration Centre (MMC) in Latin America has launched the Support System for Informed Migration, known as Sami, a generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot on WhatsApp. Sami is designed to provide migrants in Colombia with timely, reliable, and verified information about their rights, available services, and humanitarian assistance, tailored to their specific needs and profiles. The tool aims to reduce the risks migrants face due to misinformation and improve access to essential resources during transit and integration.
The development of Sami stems from MMC research identifying major gaps in access to reliable migration information. Surveys revealed that migrants heavily rely on social media platforms, such as Facebook and WhatsApp, to find information about routes, services, and conditions at their destinations. Further studies, including social media listening and focus groups in two Colombian cities, showed that many migrants make decisions based on outdated or unverified information, which increases vulnerabilities along migration routes.
Simon Tomasi, Regional Manager of MMC Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasized that disinformation creates high risks for migrants. Sami, accessible through WhatsApp at +57 310 3906566, uses AI to provide accurate information and is expected to eventually connect migrants directly with humanitarian assistance services, streamlining support for those in need.
Humanitarian actors on the ground also face challenges due to a lack of real-time data on migration flows, which hinders their ability to respond effectively. Sami addresses this gap by collecting brief, strategic, and anonymized data ethically and with informed consent. This enables organizations to better understand migrant needs and adapt their services accordingly.
The chatbot delivers information exclusively from a verified database compiled by MMC and the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) in Colombia. It does not perform internet searches, ensuring all responses are accurate, up-to-date, and based on validated sources. Sami is user-friendly, scalable, and designed to integrate with other programs in the long term.
The initiative is funded by the Government of Canada and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (Danida), highlighting international support for evidence-based tools to protect migrant communities.
The Mixed Migration Centre is a global knowledge hub focused on research, data collection, analysis, and policy development related to mixed migration. Operating independently but affiliated with the Danish Refugee Council, MMC works across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America to inform migration policies and promote evidence-based responses, emphasizing human rights and protection for all people on the move.
