SafeMate

As part of a $100,000 grant awarded by the City of Austin to PI Lucy Atkinson and co-PI Junfeng Jiao at the University of Texas at Austin, this project focused on creating a dependable AI-powered resource for citizens during critical weather and climate events. As the lead developer, I was responsible for building the core of SafeMate, a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) chatbot designed to deliver clear, factual, and actionable guidance. The system is grounded in official emergency guidelines and real-time data, ensuring that the information provided is reliable and helps users navigate stressful situations safely. The RAG architecture prevents hallucination and ensures that all assistance is based on verified information, addressing a critical need for trustworthy communication during emergencies. This work aims to enhance public safety and community resilience in the face of increasing climate-related threats.