{
  "id": 16341209,
  "title": "The WhatsApp AI companion answering 'unaskable' pregnancy questions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/the-whatsapp-ai-companion-answering-unaskable-pregnancy-questions",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-24T15:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/news/africa/2026-10-24-the-whatsapp-ai-companion-answering-unaskable-pregnancy-questions/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The WhatsApp AI companion named Sòláyò provides support and answers to unaskable pregnancy questions for first-time mothers in Lagos. This service, developed in 2025 by co-founders Theresa Oyewole and Damilola Oladiipo, offers automatic solutions to maternal health issues, professional consultations, and a forum for women to share their experiences. Oyewole, who previously sold baby products in Idumota Market, saw a need for support beyond physical products during pregnancy. She and Oladiipo recognized that women often have questions between appointments and outside regular healthcare hours. Sòláyò operates on WhatsApp, a platform many women already use, and asks users for their identity and authorization before determining if they are pregnant, trying to conceive, or a new mother. Pregnant users can input their expected delivery date to receive personalized responses. The service is evolving to address users' requests for more than automated answers, including direct professional consultations. The founders also aim to incorporate multilingual functionality to accommodate women with varying language skills and education levels. However, they must ensure users understand the limitations of AI-generated health information, recognizing that some symptoms may require immediate professional evaluation.",
  "summary": "Across Africa, digital innovations are giving expectant and new mothers ways to navigate pregnancy. Sòláyò AI is Nigeria's latest entry into the field.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}