Abstract

The increasing prevalence of digital interactions in our lives has raised concerns regarding social withdrawal, exemplified by the hikikomori phenomenon. To combat this issue, we introduce PointPal, an intelligent social platform aimed at bridging the gap between online engagement and real-world interactions, with a particular focus on addressing challenges associated with excessive internet use and hikikomori tendencies. PointPal provides a sophisticated digital environment where users can securely connect based on mutual interests, facilitating a seamless transition from virtual conversations to in-person meetings. Incorporating artificial intelligence voice recognition technology enhances accessibility and safety, while a personal safety button addresses concerns about meeting unfamiliar individuals online, promoting secure navigation of the digital landscape and encouraging more sustainable usage patterns. Through a comprehensive survey conducted among a diverse group in the UAE, including young adults, residents, tourists, and travellers, we identified key features deemed essential for facilitating offline meetups. The Interactive Map emerged as the top priority, followed by AI Chatbot Assistance, emphasizing the importance of user support, and User Meetup Reviews, highlighting the value of peer feedback. Conversely, Photo & Media Sharing was considered less vital. By integrating an Interactive Map and AI Chatbot Assistance, PointPal endeavours to revolutionize the social application industry, substantiating its potential value. Built on a microservices architecture, the system ensures modularity and scalability, comprising essential services such as User Management, Interest Management, Meeting Management, Chat, Moderation, and AI Chatbot microservices. The incorporation of AI sound recognition provides users with a natural and intuitive means of interaction, distinguishing PointPal by fostering meaningful connections and guaranteeing socially secure internet navigation, thereby surpassing existing applications.