How does the AI ​​Topic Generator work?

In this help article, you can find the frequently asked questions about the AI Topic Generator used in the Topics widget.

This widget generates topics using the AI Topic Generator. It helps you identify the key topics and trends within your data. Using smart AI, it instantly visualizes the most important topics in a convenient graph.

This way, you can see not only what is being said about your brand or organization but also the topics you are associated with and the reach of the messages.

What determines the size of the reach and the bubble? For us, perhaps 50,000 is a lot. For someone else, 9 million is a lot.

The Topic Generator displays the reach of all detected messages that form a topic. The larger the circle of the topic, the larger the reach of all messages. Therefore, there may not be many messages on a particular topic, but these messages may have appeared on platforms with a large reach. The Topic Generator provides you with insight into what else is happening around your search query, allowing you to make your own analyses. This way, you can quickly discover which topics are significant in terms of volume and reach for your search query and act accordingly. Everything is presented relatively, so if 50,000 is a lot for your organization, the size of the topics is adjusted accordingly.

Does the system determine the topics itself?
The topics are determined using AI and machine learning. We look at text structures and relationships, allowing synonyms and parts of messages on the same topic to be merged. This enables you to quickly discover which topics are relevant to your search query and take action accordingly.

Can you explain how AI is used for the Topic Generator?
The Topic Generator utilizes the AI technique of Machine Learning. Based on text relationships and structures, we determine whether parts of an article belong together. If there are enough similarities in the text within an article, these parts are grouped into a topic.

Is AI also used for sentiment analysis? After all, irony and cynicism are often challenging for monitoring tools.
Yes, we do use AI for sentiment analysis. However, we recognize that sentiment analysis is a rapidly evolving field, especially with the emergence of Large Language Models (LLM) such as the foundation of OpenAI's ChatGPT.

Can you adjust the Topic Generator yourself? Can you, for example, assign more or less value to specific sources or stakeholders? Does the user influence the self-learning aspect of AI?
The value and size of topics are determined based on reach and sources. You can influence it by applying filters. We may add more features for users in the future, and feedback is more than welcome. However, we believe it's important that topics are based on data to ensure that the topics emerge 'independently' and provide you with the best insight.

To what extent does visitors accepting cookies on websites affect the reach and, consequently, your impact in the generator?
The reach in OBI Monitor is derived from the reach figures provided by Similarweb, an authority in reach determination. Similarweb provides figures for both web and mobile reach and collects reliable data based on samples of people who have installed a plugin and granted access to measure their browsing behavior. You can find more information on how Similarweb compiles reliable figures here: [link to the source].

Are the colors in the bubbles suitable for color-blind individuals?
In all OBI4wan products involving communication, such as Livechat, OBI4wan adheres to the WCAG guidelines to ensure that these products are accessible to people with disabilities. Currently, we mainly focus on the end user (e.g., Livechat) to promote as inclusive a society as possible. Our products for agents, including the Topic Generator, are not always optimal for individuals with visual impairments, but we are working to improve this.

Question about the Topic Generator: In the example, Dutch and Flemish messages are mixed. Can you filter that?
In the OBI Media Monitor, it is possible to work with language filters. If you have filtered your search query to be in Dutch, the Topic Generator will also find Dutch content.

To what extent is print media included in the Topic Generator?
The Topic Generator includes ALL the data you select, including print articles if you subscribe to them. However, we are bound by the rules of various publishers. For example, we only receive summaries from DPG Media and Mediahuis. These summaries contain the core of an article and are included.

Is it possible to combine two bubbles yourself if it turns out they cover (almost) the same topic?
Not at the moment, but this is certainly a feature we are considering. We want to provide maximum control and insight to you as a user.