[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text] Chatbot, AI, artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning

There’s a lot of terms being thrown around in the market – artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, chatbots and with all the confusion, people are having a hard time understanding the differences. Here’s a 101 on chatbots and the top common misconceptions people have of them!

What’s the Difference?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) was developed in the 1960’s with the vision to have computers solve tasks.

Natural Language Processing (NLP) is the layer that communicates between computers and humans – think of it as a Google Translator for computer to human communication. It needs to understand the nuances and context of human speech and the written word.

Machine Learning (ML) is a algorithm that uses NLP to figure out how to use the data and put it into action. For instance, if you’re a smart watch user, you can use your watch to automate several tasks. It can count your footsteps so you don’t need to record the amount of physical activity you did in one day and set your alarm clock so you’re never late for work. Pair your watch with smart appliances, now your bathroom floors are heated to the right temperature before you jump in the shower and your coffee is brewing and ready for you. Taking data and automating tasks in the real world to provide results!

Deep Learning (DL) takes it one level down. It does more then just automating tasks. It’s actually building a brain or neutral networks, to learn and improve on itself. Take the self-driving car for example, with the use of sensors and analytics it is able to learn the obstacles on the road and make intelligent decisions to keep the passengers safe.

Where do Chatbots Fit In?

Chatbot is the messenger interface/platform for human to computer interactions. Depending on the type of chatbot, it can have AI working in the background or not.

A basic rule based chatbot can answer questions based on the parameters that are set, such as what time are you opened, does your restaurant use nuts, etc. If the FAQs haven’t been scripted into the rule based chatbot then the bot wouldn’t provide a definitive answer.

A contextual based chatbot, uses AI in the background to understand what the user is asking – the chatbot is able to understand if, and, or, but, questions so it can handle complex tasks.

Common Misconception of Chatbots

Chatbot, AI, artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning

During a launch your chatbot must be perfect.
No your chatbot doesn’t need to know everything under the sun. You can teach it to learn and incorporate more data to your bot over time. However, it should be able to answer the top 10 question you get regularly.

Chatbots will replace apps.
No chatbots won’t replace apps. Businesses today need both tools. The chatbot provides a text based interactions whereas an app provides visual content.

Chatbots can run on any messenger app.
Yes you can run your bot on any messenger app that is suitable for your business, however it must be preconfigured for each platform. In essence if you’re looking for a chatbot for Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, etc, you would need a bot built for each version.

Chatbots will replace humans.
No not that soon! Chatbots are there to supplement and augment your staff coverage. It’s next to impossible to have 24/7 coverage. You may have an auto-response set up for after hour customer inquires. However the auto-responses are limited in functionality – it may not provide a relevant response and it could turn your customers off! A chatbot will provide a relevant answer based on the question it received. But in no way, will it replace human-to-human interaction.

Chatbots are not synonymous with AI and vice versa. Chatbots is a messenger platform for your customers to contact you. It can be used for lead capture, for answering FAQs, and/or be sophisticated enough, to make recommendations (provided that AI is working the background). It’s a technology investment that can give you a quick ROI. If you’re looking to replace a basic auto-responder with more sophisticated technology, then consider using a chatbot. Learn how the Toronto app developers at TheAppLabb can help you with your chatbots.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Whenever a traveler is looking for an inexpensive ticket, a decent place to stay or searching for popular tourist attractions, the researching process can be time-consuming and tedious. Oftentimes, travellers encounter hindrances such as unmet travel essentials, safety concerns, flight delays, and anything in between.

By introducing chatbots in mobile apps to the travel industry, they can take on the role as a convenient guide. Ultimately, travel bots can improve the company outlook by delivering automated responses and performing everyday tasks. Additionally, they can handle a bombardment of phone calls pertaining to booking arrangements or travel inquiries. Travel bots can deliver optimal results for not only airlines but for hotel companies by tackling these demands:

How Can a Travel Chatbot Deliver Optimal Results?

● Meets the needs of the traveller in terms of e-booking the ticket, searching and comparing fares, and viewing confirmation of the ticket purchase.

● Being able to save searches pertaining to round-trips, one-way, or multi-city.

● The ability to view flight details including flight fare, flight duration, departure and arrival time, as well as in-flight experiences.

● Show comparisons of airlines, flight duration, and price.

● Integrate payment and confirming the payment.

● Accommodate travelers with hotel bookings and room pricing which add on the enriching experience of a travelbot.

● Offers multilingual language for international travellers, therefore removing the barriers between the user and the interface. This feature will allow hotels and airlines communicate travellers in a clear and efficient manner.

● Provides answers to frequently asked questions such as facilities, permitting pets in hotel rooms, or vacancy.

2 online travel agencies that are already implementing chatbots:

Expedia.com recently created its Facebook Messenger bot. The bot is designed to search and book hotels for travelers. Customers just enter their destination, travel dates and the number of nights. The bot then provides five possible options which all can be viewed inside the Facebook Messenger app. Users can then choose and confirm their booking all in the Messenger app.

Skyscanner like Expedia also has a Facebook Messenger bot. The bot is programmed to search and book flights. Customers enter their start point and destination and are provided with the cheapest fares available. From there travelers can click on the one they want to confirm, and will be taken out of Messenger and into the Skyscanner site to complete their booking.

Online travel agencies have now become the standard of the travel industry. Travel agents are slowly diminishing as customers have access to more information than ever before. However, many customers still prefer the human interaction and someone to talk to if they have questions or concerns. Now, chatbots can provide that service for which online travel agencies have been lacking by providing help similar to a travel agent’s and still reducing costs by actually having these agents on payroll.

The travel industry will be undergoing a major shift in customer experience with the introduction of chatbots. But with the help existing messaging app platforms, Airlines and travel agencies will be able to reach out to more customers and provide an exquisite user experience.

TheAppLabb‘s white-label platform TheTravelApp is an ideal solution for travel agencies. As leaders of innovation and technology, we are here to help you maximize your business!