Momntum's customer chatbot offering a human touch
It will answer questions about doctors at the clinic, what some procedures entail and even what some of the dangers of such treatments are.
'Some patients might experience side effects such as swelling, bruising, lumps or redness at the injection site and in rare cases, more significant complications can occur,' it tells me when I ring to ask whether lip fillers were generally safe.
Its WhatsApp channel goes a step further, reassuring me that 'facial enhancements aren't addictive in the same way that substances such as alcohol or drugs can be' and advising me on which treatments might enhance body image or even the sensation men feel for the purposes of adult intimacy.
Lip fillers, I'm told when I ask about measures to boost intimacy appeal to men, 'can create fuller, more defined lips, which some people believe may enhance aspects of intimacy for both partners'.
This customer-facing AI for Sisu Clinics is now installed across the chain's phone lines, WhatsApp service and social media channels as the primary interface for customers. It can book things, cancel things and generally do much of what a human in such a first-line position can do.
The company behind the Laila AI bot, Dún Laoghaire start-up Momntum, says that it replaces people 'to a certain degree' and that it's about future-proofing customer interactions.
'We think about it like a layer,' said Brian Kenny, CEO and co-founder of the company, which recently raised €1m in funding.
'Currently, what Laila will perform within the voice aspect is rescheduling, booking appointments, cancelling appointments all of these questions that a customer may have.
'But if a customer ever wants to really talk to somebody, then it will ring one of the clinics where a human being and the caller can have a direct one-to-one conversation.'
Despite only being founded this year, Momntum has racked up several customers and is backed by investors such as ACT Venture Capital, Sure Valley Ventures and a handful of veteran Irish businessmen, including Sisu co-founder Pat Phelan and former Voxpro CEO, Dan Kiely.
Its main pitch is to further automate customer service interaction, as it does for Sisu Clinics, using a combination of off-the-shelf AI foundation models and its own engineered 'relationship language model' that joins the dots between questions and answers.
As such, it's a good indicator of what we're likely to see in most businesses and services in the near future, as AI deepens in customer service models.
The rules around doing this are still settling down. The EU AI Act says that companies must 'ensure that AI systems intended to interact directly with natural persons are designed and developed in such a way that the natural persons concerned are informed that they are interacting with an AI system, unless this is obvious from the point of view of a natural person who is reasonably well-informed, observant and circumspect, taking into account the circumstances and the context of use'.
While Laila doesn't flag its AI status up front, it does when asked. And it's probably reasonable to suggest that people who hear a chirpy American voice when they call up a service will conclude early that it's not a human voice.
'We don't see a huge amount of customers asking whether Laila is an AI, which is a hot tip,' says Kenny.
'Looking at the number of conversations and calls that she's doing, and the output and performance of those calls, gives us a good indication that consumers are more than happy with how she performs. But it's a valid point that you raise and we think it's important that the EU AI Act, ensuring the groundwork and the guardrails for specific use cases, is really deeply thought about.
'If you build responsibility into the heart of the organisation, even though the AI continues to get better and better, your North Star is anchored towards that responsible aspect of it and it shouldn't hinder your innovation.'
Kenny says that the next version of the platform is almost ready to launch, with a big upgrade in accents for Irish users.
'I would say the difference between versions 1.0 and 2.0 and our voice product is mind-blowing,' he says.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Chikungunya virus symptoms, spread and what to know as 7,000 infected in China
A mosquito-borne virus that has infected more than 7,000 people across 13 cities in southern China is prompting measures similar to those taken during the Covid pandemic - despite not being contagious between humans. The chikungunya virus, which causes fever, joint pain, headaches and muscle aches, is spreading rapidly across Guangdong province, just north of Hong Kong. Chikungunya is typically uncommon in China, but infections soared after an imported case was detected in Foshan city on July 8, which has since become the worst-affected area, reports New York Times. In Foshan city patients diagnosed with chikungunya are required to remain in hospital under mosquito net protection and can only be discharged after testing negative or completing a mandatory week-long stay, according to a translation of Chinese news outlet NF News. Authorities in Guangdong are doing door-to-door inspections checking for stagnant water - where mosquitos breed - and warning that those who fail to comply can be fined or face criminal charges for "obstructing the prevention of infectious diseases", as outlined in a government flyer translated by the Times. A drone sprays insecticide on August 1, 2025 in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province of China (Image: China News Service via Getty Images) Other measures include releasing mosquito-eating fish into ponds, spraying pesticides, deploying drones to spot breeding sites and even introducing giant "elephant mosquitoes" whose larvae devour the virus-carrying kind. While the current outbreak is centred in Asia, Ireland has recorded a travel-related case of the virus in the past. According to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), the most recent known Irish case was in 2016, involving a person who had recently returned from Kenya. Chikungunya is classed as a notifiable disease in Ireland - meaning health officials must report suspected cases to authorities. While it cannot be transmitted person-to-person, the virus can be passed to humans through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, which are usually found in the warmer parts of the world, especially Asia, the US and the Mediterranean Basin. What is Chikungunya? The HPSC said: "Chikungunya is a viral infection caused by the Chikungunya virus, an Alphavirus and member of the Togaviridae family. Chikungunya fever is a notifiable disease in Ireland." What are the symptoms ? The HPSC said: "The time between being bitten by an infected mosquito and developing symptoms ranges from 1 to 12 days, with an average of three to seven days. "The main symptoms are fever, joint pain, muscle pain and headache. Joint pains are a characteristic symptom. Bleeding from the nose or gums may happen, particularly in children. "While most cases recover without complications, some people may develop a more chronic phase with persistent joint pains. Recovery may take several weeks for these patients, coinciding with extreme tiredness. Younger people tend to recover in a matter of a one or two weeks while middle-aged and elderly tend to take one to three months for full recovery." How is it spread? The HPSC said: "Chikungunya fever is transmitted to humans by biting Aedes mosquitoes, such as A. aegypti, A. albopictus and A. polynesiensis. These are tropical and subtropical mosquitoes found in the warmer parts of the world, especially Asia, the United States and the Mediterranean Basin. " Where does it occur? The HPSC said: "Chikungunya is commonly found in East Africa, Southeast Asia and in the Indian sub-continent. In summer 2007, an outbreak was reported in the Emilia-Romagna region of North-East Italy, and this region is now considered an area where Chikungunya virus transmission takes place. The most recent cases of Chikungunya in Italy have occurred between June and October 2017 in Rome, the coastal region of Anzio and Latina. "One case of chikungunya was reported in Ireland during 2016, with a recent travel history to Kenya." What do I need to do if I visit an area with Chikungunya? The HPSC said: "Travellers to affected areas are advised to prevent mosquito bites. Pregnant women, immunosuppressed people and people suffering from a severe chronic illness should consult their physicians prior to the travel in order to assess their risk and get recommendations on personal preventive measures. "All travellers to countries where Chikungunya occurs should take the following steps to prevent mosquito bites: Use of anti-mosquito devices (insecticide-treated bed nets, spray, repellents) Mosquito repellent based on a 30% DEET concentration is recommended. Pregnant women and children under the age of 12 years should consult a physician or pharmacist before use. For newborn children under three months, repellents are not recommended and insecticide-treated bed nets and protective clothing should be used instead. Wear long sleeves and trousers." .Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
The Journal
a day ago
- The Journal
Daughter of Waterford woman who died from bowel cancer calls for lower screening age
NOELLE DROHAN WAS never really one to complain, or even draw attention to herself. She was a trained accounts technician, and she worked in the garage across the road from her family home in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, but her daughters say that her main occupation 'was as a always mam'. 'She put myself and my sister first, always, and I suppose she was like a lot of Irish women in that sense,' Niamh Drohan said. Niamh is 34, and just over a year ago, her mother died with colorectal cancer. Throughout her mum's cancer journey, from the first GP visit over worrying symptoms, to after the diagnosis point, Niamh always had the sense that Noelle was holding information back; that the outlook was much worse than what she was saying. Noelle was 55 when she died on 21 July 2024, she was 53 when she first went to the GP. 'My mam was a really private person, she probably suffered in silence for a really long time before she sought out medical attention. She was incredibly unlucky with her health; I was living in Cork and my sister was living in Dublin for the last few years, and it seemed like every time we were back home, she wasn't well in some way,' Niamh said. Niamh said that when she went home to visit she would notice digestive aids around the house, and that her mother's health seemed to have visibly deteriorated. 'Afterwards, when the reality of the situation was clear, she told me that at that time, it was taking her an hour to get dressed in the mornings. She'd put her leggings on and then have to lie down for half an hour, before she could put her t-shirt on,' Niamh said. In February 2023, after several GP visits, Noelle was sent for a full blood panel test. 'They found that her white blood cell count was on the floor, and she was sent to the hospital immediately,' Niamh said. Noelle underwent chemotherapy treatment and appeared to respond well to it during that year, but when Niamh went home for Christmas, she noticed that her condition had seriously deteriorated. 'At that time, she wasn't fully telling me what was going on, but at that time I was crying on the phone to my friends saying, 'I swear to god I think she's dying,' and they didn't know what to say. Noelle's condition worsened to the point that it was clear to her family that her cancer was terminal. 'She came home for the last time in June, and she had a walker to help her get around. At that stage the cancer had spread extensively, even to her spine,' Niamh said. Advertisement Her mam's passing in July 2024 was devastating to her. 'Of course, she was my mam, so I'd say this, but she really was so maternal with everyone,' Niamh said. Afterwards, Niamh started putting together a picture of their family's health history. Her grandmother had passed away with colorectal cancer at the age of 63, so she realised that there was potentially a genetic factor at play. 'I started looking into the latest reports around colorectal cancer in Ireland and in the world, and I saw that there is an increasing prevalence of colorectal cancer cases in people who are well under the screening age, so it made me start to think that the screening age itself in Ireland should be lowered from 59 to 50, because that is what it is the UK, and in other countries around the world,' Niamh said. Niamh is encouraging people to participate in HIQA's consultation programme for increasing the age range for colorectal screening in Ireland. It's understood that currently, the uptake for the colorectal cancer screening programme is at 46%, which is well below the participation for the other national cancer screening services. Just last week, the Health Information and Quality Authority launched a public consultation assessment as it is in the process of looking into lowering the age of the BowelScreen programme to people aged 50-54 in Ireland. Colorectal cancer, which is also referred to as bowel cancer, refers to cancer that occurs in the colon and rectum. It is the second most common cancer in men and the third most common cancer in women in Ireland It is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Ireland. The screening process is fairly simple, at first it involves an at-home test which is intended to detect hidden blood in a person's stool, and if that is detected, they are sent for a colonoscopy. Similar to the cervical cancer screening programme, it can detect early health indicators and early intervention can prevent a person's cancer from developing to a more serious stage. Dr Máirin Ryan, the deputy CEO of HIQA, said that the HSE already has a commitment in place to expand colorectal cancer screening to people aged 55-74, as currently the service is only totally in place for people aged 59 to 69, although the expansion of the age range is already underway. 'The services required for screening are under pressure to meet existing demands. Significant investment and planning would be required to ensure the necessary resources are in place to support a potential future extension of the BowelScreen programme,' Dr Ryan said. To participate in the public consultation, visit the HIQA site here. *Bowel cancer and colorectal cancer are interchangeable terms. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
Research reveals impact of Great Famine on survivors' height
The research, from Queen's Business School in Belfast and Edinburgh Business School, examined the impact of one of the defining events in Irish history. It found that in some regions the survivors' average adult height was comparable to – or even slightly greater than – that of individuals born before or after the Famine. Around one million people died from starvation or disease in the Famine from 1845 to 1852. A stunting of height is usually associated with malnutrition and disease. The study used the historical data of 14,500 individuals, with different exposures to famine conditions and drawn from two prisons, in Dublin and Tipperary, born before, during and after the Famine. The findings have been published in Economic History Review, coinciding with the 180th anniversary of the beginning of the Famine. The study revealed that individuals born during the Famine exhibited reduced health outcomes. This effect dominated in areas with low famine mortality, such as Dublin. With the weakest succumbing to disease and starvation, this left the healthiest to survive It also showed that those who survived the Famine were, on average, the taller, more robust individuals. Areas most affected by the Famine, such as in Tipperary, saw an increase in average societal health for survivors. Dr Chris Colvin, of Queen's Business School, said: 'Individuals born in severely affected regions such as Tipperary exhibited no evidence of stunted growth, indicating that the Famine disproportionately eliminated the most vulnerable. 'In contrast, stunting is observed only in areas with lower excess mortality such as Dublin, where selective pressures were weaker. 'With the weakest in society succumbing to disease and starvation, this left only the healthiest to survive into adulthood. They grew up to be significantly taller than average.' Professor Eoin McLaughlin, of Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University, said: 'This research reshapes how we understand the long-term effects of humanitarian disasters like famines. 'By distinguishing between scarring – lasting damage to survivors' health – and selective mortality, it challenges simple assumptions that crises always leave a uniformly weakened population.'
