What is chatbot?
A chatbot is a computer program that can talk to people using text or voice, just like a real person would in a chat or messaging app. It reads what you type, figures out what you mean, and then replies with an answer or action.
Let's break it down
- Input: You type or speak a question or command.
- Processing: The bot uses rules or artificial intelligence to understand the words and decide what to do.
- Output: It sends back a text reply, an image, a link, or performs a task (like booking a ticket).
- Learning (optional): Some bots get smarter over time by learning from past conversations.
Why does it matter?
Chatbots make it possible to get help or information instantly, 24/7, without waiting for a human. They can handle many users at once, save time, and reduce costs for businesses while giving customers quick answers.
Where is it used?
- Customer support on websites and apps
- Shopping assistants that recommend products
- Banking bots that check balances or transfer money
- Travel planners that find flights or hotels
- Social media platforms for automated replies
- Home devices like smart speakers (e.g., Alexa, Google Assistant)
Good things about it
- Available all day, every day
- Responds instantly, no hold time
- Can handle many conversations at once
- Reduces workload for human staff
- Provides consistent answers
- Can be personalized to each user’s preferences
Not-so-good things
- May misunderstand slang, typos, or complex questions
- Limited to the knowledge it was programmed or trained with
- Lack of human empathy in sensitive situations
- Can be frustrating if the bot loops or gives irrelevant answers
- Privacy concerns if personal data is not handled securely.