Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Chatbots Are Changing Ecommerce

What once was the stuff of sci-fi is now being deployed everywhere, epitomized by technological innovations in the realm of artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, and machine learning. The best example of how these advancements are affecting ecommerce is the rise of chatbots.

Chatbots mimic how humans think and make decisions. They are automated programs fueled by machine-learning technology that work by answering questions, handling particular requests, and generally simulating people’s conversations. The key thing to remember here is that a chatbot is not a static thing: it learns, adapting to how people behave, trends in their preferences, and what and when they buy.

Image source: nyintl.net

Voice recognition technology is crucial to the future of chatbots. Companies pushing the possibilities of the fusion of artificial intelligence with machine learning include NeuraFlash, and even FedEx. The former’s AI chatbot uses natural language processing (NLP) for comprehending text patterns, while FedEx’s Alexa app allows customers to track their package deliveries without even typing anything. Other notable and specialized Ai bots include Mitsuku and RightClick.

That they offer more personalized one-on-one service makes chatbots more important in ecommerce sectors, especially as people continue to switch to online shopping. Companies need to match the increased volume and traffic to new customers, and chatbots may be the only way to do so very soon.

Image source: woobox.com

Currently a senior director at Walmart Labs, Abhishek Gattani is a graduate of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the founder of companies Cuberon, Big Refunds, and Fireball Solutions. For more on Mr. Gattani’s work, visit this webpage.



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