Fundamental ChatBot Glossary
The chatbot works by taking in input from the user and then responding based on a set of predetermined rules, the bot can understand natural language input, so you don\’t need to worry about learning a special syntax or anything like that, just type or say whatever you want, and the bot will respond accordingly.
If you feel the same while reading about chatbots, or talking about them with others, have a look at my list of essential chatbot terms. It should help you understand the basics of chatbot technology, and let you read and talk about it with ease.
Chatbot
A chatbot is software that imitates human-like conversation with users via websites and mobile messaging apps. Chatbots answer users’ questions and help them handle simple tasks without the help of a human.
Chatbot builder
A chatbot builder it’s a platform that allows you to build and launch chatbots with little or no coding.
Conversational channel
A channel is a place where a chatbot is launched and where users can interact with it. It could be a website, LiveChat, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Slack, Kik, etc.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the area of computer science that is sometimes described as machine intelligence. It allows chatbots to perform tasks that would normally require human intelligence, like decision making, language translation, or speech recognition.
Natural language processing
Natural language processing (NLP) is a branch of AI that helps computers read, understand, and make sense of the human language. It lets chatbots understand the context and meaning of a user’s message and react to it properly, even if the user makes a spelling mistake.
Apart from chatbots, NLP powers plenty of apps and services including Google Translate or Grammarly.
Machine learning
Machine learning (ML) is a branch of AI that allows chatbots to identify patterns in human language and learn from past conversations. Thanks to machine learning, properly programmed AI chatbots can improve over time without the help of a human.
Sentiment analysis
Sentiment analysis is a subfield of computer science that uses NLP and machine learning to measure the sentiment and tone of a text or spoken language.
Sentiment analysis can help a chatbot analyze user messages and identify whether the person\’s attitude towards certain products or services is negative, positive, or neutral.
API
API is the acronym for application programming interface. It\’s a toolset that lets apps communicate with other services and enables developers to integrate new apps into existing software.
For example, when Facebook made its API public in 2016, chatbot makers were able to finally integrate their third-party solutions with Messenger.
Webhooks
Webhooks, also called a web callback, are automated API responses. They retrieve information from chatbot conversations, like email addresses or telephone numbers, and pass them automatically to web services. For example, to your CRM or email marketing software and the other way around.
Software integration
Software integration is the process of two or more applications being connected. For example, with Messenger integration, you can connect ChatBot with Messenger or Slack with no coding.
Lead
Attributes can be described as packages including information (e.g., name, email, phone number) a chatbot collects while chatting with a user. Attributes help a chatbot personalize its responses.
Bot: What’s your name?
User: Anna.
Bot: Thanks! How can I help you, Anna?
Keywords
Entities are keywords and phrases that are similar in meaning and that are crucial for your chatbot conversations. For example, the names of products and services you offer.
You can create your list of entities so that your chatbot can identify and retrieve them from user responses. Because of that, your chatbot can provide answers relevant to user input. For example, it can recommend an exact product that interests a customer.
User: I would like to order coffee.
Bot: What type of coffee would you like to have?
- Latte
- Flat white
- Cappuccino
Chat Widget
A chat widget is a ready-to-use, customizable chat window that is added to a website. A chat widget hosts your chatbot and enables users to converse with it.
