Howzit AI, a new South African AI chatbot by Cape Town entrepreneur Andrew Droussiotis, offers multilingual support in all 11 official languages and is a promising local competitor in the AI market, though it currently has limited features and access to up-to-date information. Picture: Google Gemini
Image: Google Gemini
A Cape Town entrepreneur, Andrew Droussiotis, has launched a new AI chatbot called Howzit AI.
Though the app appears to be quite limited in the free version currently available for Apple iOS, with fewer than 10 free chats (prompts) available per day, it’s a welcome addition to the AI landscape. It’s also understood that an Android version is in the works. By comparison, ChatGPT allows roughly 10 prompts every five hours on its free tier.
The app’s standout feature is that users can type their prompts in all 11 of South Africa’s official languages.
If you choose the paid version, the subscription costs R129.99 per month or R699.99 per year.
Those prices compare favourably with ChatGPT, whose cheapest subscription costs R149 per month. Google AI Plus, however, is cheaper at R104.99 per month.
It is clear, though, that Howzit AI is still in its infancy. I did a quick test using the free version on Friday, ahead of the Springboks’ Nations Championship match against England at Ellis Park on Saturday, and this was how the conversation went:
“Howzit AI: Howzit 👋 How can I help you today?
Me: When are the Boks playing next?
Howzit AI: The next match for the Boks is not specified, but they typically play during international test windows or tournaments. Please check the latest schedule for exact dates. This should be verified.”
I also knew that it was announced this week that 10bet is the new naming rights partner of the stadium, replacing Emirates Airline. With that in mind, I wanted to see whether it could access the latest news on the change.
“Me: What is the official name of Ellis Park?
Howzit AI: Ellis Park is officially known as Emirates Airline Park. It might still be called Ellis Park by many locals, but Emirates Airline Park is its current official name.
Are you planning to catch a game there soon, or was this for something specific?”
While those responses suggest the chatbot is not yet able to reliably access the latest information, that’s not unusual for a newly launched AI platform. As with any chatbot, its usefulness will ultimately depend on how quickly it improves its knowledge base, accuracy and features. For now, Howzit AI is an interesting local entrant into a market dominated by global tech giants, even if it still has some catching up to do.