Chatbot

A chatbot is a software application or web interface designed to converse with people through text or speech.

A chatbot is a software application or web interface designed to converse with people through text or speech. It uses natural language processing and, in modern systems, machine learning or large language models, to simulate human-like conversation and help users with tasks or information retrieval. In Canada, chatbots are widely used by businesses, public services, and educational institutions for customer support, service navigation, and automated information delivery.

Definition

A chatbot is a computer program that communicates with people in natural language, usually by text or voice. It may respond with scripted replies, generated language, or a combination of both.

History

Chatbots have existed for decades, with early examples appearing in the mid-to-late 20th century. ELIZA is commonly cited as one of the first chatbots. Early chatbots often relied on scripted rules and predefined responses.

Technology

Modern chatbots often use natural language processing and machine learning to interpret user input and produce responses. More advanced systems may rely on large language models, while simpler systems use fixed conversation flows.

Uses

Chatbots are used in customer service, virtual assistants, education, e-commerce, healthcare, and information retrieval. They are often deployed on websites, apps, and messaging platforms.