Harnessing AI to help search for drug and alcohol information
Published: 3 June 2025
Article submitted by: Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF)
As artificial intelligence (AI) started changing the way we find information, the Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) saw an opportunity to bridge a crucial gap in how people access trustworthy, easy-to-understand alcohol and other drug information. That’s how dib came to life — a first-of-its-kind Australian chatbot built to give accurate, anonymous and non-judgmental answers, every time.
It all started with research — the ADF explored how people search for alcohol and other drug information online. It found what many already know from experience: traditional health websites can be hard to navigate, and while general AI tools can offer quick answers, the information isn’t always clear, relevant or trustworthy.
That’s where the idea for dib, Australia’s AI chatbot for alcohol and drug information, really took shape.
Building a team of ‘bright minds’
The ADF brought together an expert advisory group of people with lived and living experience, AI experts, and leaders in clinical and academic fields to make sure the project had a strong ethical foundation and was guided by the right people.
A dedicated team of bright minds was assembled to bring dib to life — combining expertise in AI, user experience and digital content, with experience in alcohol and other drug harm reduction. Together, they developed, built and trained dib using trusted, evidence-based information from the ADF website. The team worked closely to make sure every response from dib felt human, helpful and respectful.
When the first working version of dib was ready, a clinical advisory group helped determine what kind of information dib should provide, and where to draw the line between general information and clinical or medical advice. The ADF also worked closely with Harm Reduction Victoria and people working in the alcohol and other drug space to make sure dib reflected real needs and followed best-practice harm reduction approaches.
Ensuring user safety and privacy
Prior to launch, the chatbot went through rigorous security checks and was tested by more than 200 Australians, who gave feedback on how helpful, easy to use, and supportive dib felt. This helped shape its tone and design, so it felt more like a friendly conversation than a clinical or robotic tool, but without losing accuracy.
Since launching in January 2025, dib has had more than 10,000 conversations. It gives clear, evidence-based information pulled straight from the ADF website, includes harm reduction tips, and links people to extra support if needed. Everything is anonymous, and dib is backed by strong safety measures to make sure the information it provides is safe and accurate.
It also offers screening using the alcohol, smoking and substance involvement screening test tool (ASSIST), which can help people take the first step towards help earlier.
To make sure dib stays accurate, helpful and up to date, its performance is regularly reviewed through ongoing monitoring and audits. This process helps ensure the chatbot continues to provide reliable, evidence-based information and reflects the latest in harm reduction and alcohol and other drug research.
Whether you’re looking for help yourself, supporting someone else, or just want straight answers without judgment, dib is your 24/7 guide to reliable, compassionate information. The chatbot is located at adf.org.au
Last reviewed: July 2025