Publishing a Chatbot: Opportunities and Challenges

While developing a prototype chatbot has become increasingly accessible thanks to modern tools and tutorials, publishing a chatbot, especially one that is freely available without login requirements, introduces a distinct set of challenges. This article reflects on the process of preparing ChatHA (Humanities-Aligned Chatbot) for public release, particularly in the context of the Written Artefact Profiling Guide. Beyond technical hurdles, such as infrastructure and deployment, we encountered significant ethical and legal considerations, including data privacy, user consent, and responsible communication. Although our work is rooted in humanities research in Germany, many of the issues discussed are relevant across disciplines and jurisdictions. By outlining both the opportunities and challenges involved, this article aims to contribute to a broader discussion on the thoughtful publication of chatbots for research dissemination.