Onboarding and setup
How do I use Discovery AI?
Discovery AI works on the WhatsApp application and is always ready to answer your questions. To get started, add the Discovery Bank WhatsApp number, +27 11 324 4844, to your contacts and type Hi in WhatsApp to start a session.
Why isn't Discovery AI working for me?
Discovery AI only recognises your primary registered cellphone number.
To see if you're using the correct number:
- Log in to the Discovery Bank app.
- Tap More.
- Scroll down to Contact Details.
The number you're sending the WhatsApp message from must match the primary mobile number your Discovery Bank app shows. If it does but Discovery AI is still not working, please unblock Discovery Bank as a WhatsApp contact if necessary: how to unblock business contacts on WhatsApp.
If you're still struggling, please call us for help on 0800 07 96 97 anytime.
What type of device do I need?
You can use any device that can run WhatsApp, including the web and desktop WhatsApp versions.
What if I don't have WhatsApp?
Please download and install the WhatsApp application from your device's app store. Without it, unfortunately you won't be able to use Discovery AI. We're looking at other ways to bring you the innovative features of Discovery AI, but for now it's limited to WhatsApp.
Can I use WhatsApp on desktop?
You can use WhatsApp on desktop.
Is Discovery AI free?
Discovery AI is free for Discovery Bank clients.
Do I need a specific bank account to use Discovery AI?
You can use Discovery AI if you have any Discovery Bank account in good standing, but not if you still have the Discovery Card from before we launched Discovery Bank.
Can I cancel anytime?
There's no need to cancel. Simply stop using Discovery AI if you no longer want it.
Do I need to manually enter my transactions?
Discovery AI uses your own banking information for answers. You don't need to enter or upload anything.
What if I need help using Discovery AI?
Discovery AI is intuitive and should feel as natural as interacting with a real person on WhatsApp. If you need more support, you can say you want to speak to a live Discovery Banker. Otherwise, you're welcome to call a Discovery Banker at our contact centre on 0800 07 96 97 anytime.
Customisation and control
Can I personalise Discovery AI's recommendations?
Discovery AI works with your data, including the budgets and goals you've set. You can still use many specific features for financial planning in the Discovery Bank app, but Discovery AI offers added insights.
Discovery AI doesn't give advice but helps you understand your data so you can make better decisions. It can also help with things like tracking towards a savings goal or setting a reminder to pay a bill. It will send you reminders in the banking app.
How often do I need to interact with Discovery AI?
It's up to you. Each user's needs are different. Discovery AI will help you improve your financial health and it's there for you, 24/7/365.
How is this different from the Discovery Bank app?
Discovery AI is conversational and uses the latest technology to answer your questions, whether you need specific transaction and product-related information or more general answers. Discovery AI makes sense of all the data to help you with a specific need, in one place.
The Discovery Bank app is still essential for your banking and we're very proud of it. It's one of the highest-ranked banking apps in the world. The Discovery Bank app will help you use the insights from Discovery AI to do your banking. You'll still open accounts, transact, monitor and adjust budgets, play the Vitality Active Rewards gameboard and view your other Discovery products in the banking app.
AI functionality
Why do I need Discovery AI to manage my banking and rewards?
Discovery AI can help you make sense of complex information, your spending habits, and more, whenever you need it.
How does Discovery AI analyse my banking and rewards?
Discovery AI uses all the complex banking data available and a combination of advanced technologies to make sense of it all.
Does Discovery AI give financial planning or investment advice?
Discovery AI doesn't give financial advice. If you need these services, we suggest you speak to a financial adviser. The role of Discovery AI is to help you optimise your financial health and banking value by giving you insights about your banking and banking products, so that you can make informed decisions.
Can Discovery AI do transactions or make changes to my bank account?
No, Discovery AI only gives you information. If you want to transact, you need to log in to the Discovery Bank app and transact there. Discovery AI can't help to open, close or change any of your accounts.
How often does Discovery AI update my insights?
Discovery AI generates its insights while you're using it. You may experience a slight delay while it's processing the latest information to give an up-to-date insight.
Trust and accuracy
How accurate are Discovery AI's recommendations?
Discovery AI will give you information to help you understand and improve your finances. These insights can give you the power to make better decisions.
It's important to remember that Discovery AI can make mistakes. These should be rare and we'll try to limit them. We recommend that you confirm the information in the Discovery Bank app before making any important decisions.
Does Discovery AI replace human financial advisers?
Discovery AI won't replace human financial advisers. Each client is different. The role of the financial adviser is to understand each client's needs and financial situation and advise on the best products and services for that client. Discovery AI is here to help you manage your finances and is meant to be used along with regular consultations with a financial adviser.
What happens if Discovery AI gives the wrong advice?
This can happen, but it should be rare. When we get something wrong, you can reply by typing "give feedback" in the chat. We take this feedback seriously and have both human and machine-learning feedback loops to make sure we keep getting better.
Security and privacy
How does Discovery AI protect my financial data?
We're compliant with security and privacy legislation. We process all information in a secure manner without unnecessary dependence on third parties.
Is my data shared with any public or third-party large language models (LLMs)?
We don't use public large language models (LLMs). Your data isn't used to train these models and is not publicly accessible. For the best performance, we use a variety of LLMs and integrate different AI models and elements. To secure your data and safeguard your privacy, we use the most advanced methods which may include secure and encrypted networks, data anonymisation and serverless computing. We meet all required standards.
Will my bank account details be shared with third parties?
We don't sell or share your information with third parties. All interactions with Discovery AI are between you and Discovery Bank.
What security measures do you have in place?
All chats are end-to-end encrypted. To start a session, you must be using a WhatsApp account linked to the primary number in your Discovery Bank app and you must authenticate your session in the app.
Session times are limited, after which you'll be asked for a new authentication. You won't be able to transact on the channel.
You should take reasonable steps to protect the contents of your chats and your cellphone. Using locked chats and periodically clearing your WhatsApp chat history are two ways to do this.
AI learning and improvement
How does Discovery AI stay up to date with banking changes?
Discovery AI uses the latest product information from Discovery Bank in its answers, but it's possible that an answer can have errors or be outdated. We make every effort to limit this so that the information is the latest available on Discovery Bank's products and services.
Can I give feedback to improve Discovery AI insights?
We value your feedback and will use it to keep improving.
You can simply type "Give feedback" anytime to give us your input.
For quick feedback on a specific answer we gave you, you can also reply with an emoji.
Limits, terms and conditions apply. Discovery AI may make mistakes, and all answers should be verified before being relied upon. Responses should not be considered financial advice. For any financial advice, please consult a financial adviser.