In an innovative effort to combat COVID-19 misinformation and build public trust in science, the Boston Museum of Science partnered with StoryFile to create an interactive digital exhibit featuring Dr. Ashish Jha, one of the nation’s leading voices on the pandemic. Dr. Jha, a physician and public health expert who at the time was dean of the Brown University School of Public Health (and later served as White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator), became a trusted source of clear, evidence-based guidance throughout the health crisis.

The exhibit, titled "Ask a Virtual Expert: COVID Conversations with Dr. Jha," used StoryFile’s conversational AI technology to allow visitors to have lifelike, one-on-one Q&A sessions with a digital version of Dr. Jha. He answered over 550 questions on topics such as vaccine safety, virus transmission, mask effectiveness, and the societal impact of the pandemic. The goal was to empower people—especially younger audiences and those without access to expert advice—with accurate, approachable science in a personalized format.

As COVID-19 conspiracy theories and misinformation spread widely, the exhibit played a critical role in addressing public fears and confusion in real time. Visitors to the museum could ask their own questions directly to the AI-powered Dr. Jha, receiving nuanced answers in his own voice and words, while an online version extended access to remote users. This interactive experience demonstrated how technology, science communication, and public engagement could come together to fight disinformation and promote informed health decisions.

The project stood out not only for its technological innovation but also for its empathetic, human-centered approach to science education in a moment of global uncertainty.