Chatbot Use: today and tomorrow

If you have recently called a service provider or used the internet to access a business service you will likely have experienced a chatbot as they are used regularly for various practical business purposes that include:

Getting a quick answer to questions
Resolving a complaint or problem
After hours technical support
Getting a more detailed answer to a query
Finding a human customer service agent

Virtual Assistant: Siri

Within a mobile context the chatbot we are most familiar with is Apple’s virtual assistant, Siri, who responds to the simple voice command, “Hey Siri”. This chatbot is able to provide help with an array of voice commands such as:

Phone and text actions
Check basic information
Schedule events and reminders
Search the Internet
Provide navigation
Translate words and phrases
Source entertainment
Engage with iOS-integrated apps
Handle payments

Internet of Things:

With the emergence of smart technology in the internet of things, the coming of 5G networks and the confluence of DIY tech culture, chatbots are not only becoming more common place in our daily lives, but we are now able to design our own chatbots to serve our personal needs/wants.

Alexa:

Amazon’s Alexa is one example. Like Siri, Alexa is an AI assistant. Instead of sourcing from a smartphone, Alexa is ‘housed’ in a smart home speaker and responds to voice commands to carry out the typical tasks we have come to expect from Siri. What is more, Alexa can control other smart devices connected to your personal and home network: auto, home heating, lights, audio, video, security, even cooking and cleaning devices such as vacuums, ranges, dishwashers/clothes washers/dryers.

As of November of 2016, third party developers could access the Alexa technology through a service called Amazon Lex. As a result, anyone with this service can build their own chatbot to respond to voice commands and carry out the unique work they want the chatbot to do!

Learn More:

Check out Hope Moore’s (2018) video on how to build your own chatbot using Amazon Lex skills kit and Lambda:

Google Sites

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