Chatbots are computer programs that simulate human conversation. They are commonly used in online customer service and support, but are also used in other areas such as marketing and sales. Chatbots are used to automate repetitive tasks, such as responding to customer queries, or providing information about products and services.
Chatbots use a variety of techniques to simulate human conversation, including natural language processing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Natural language processing allows chatbots to understand human conversation by extracting small pieces of information from a sentence. This information is then used to generate a response that is relevant to the conversation. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are used to improve the chatbot's ability to understand human conversation over time.
The first chatbot was created in the early 1960s by Joseph Weizenbaum. His program, ELIZA, was designed to simulate human conversation by extracting small pieces of information from a sentence. ELIZA was one of the first programs to use natural language processing.
Chatbots offer a number of benefits over traditional customer service and support channels. They are available 24/7, they can handle large volumes of traffic, and they can provide a personalized experience. Additionally, chatbots can be used to automate repetitive tasks, such as responding to customer queries or providing information about products and services.
Despite the benefits, there are a number of challenges associated with chatbots. They can be expensive to develop and maintain, and they may not be able to handle more complex customer queries. Additionally, chatbots may not be able to replicate the human touch that is often required in customer service and support interactions.
Despite the challenges, chatbots are becoming increasingly popular, and their use is expected to grow in the coming years. Companies are investing in chatbot technology, and the market for chatbot applications is expected to reach $1.25 billion by 2025.