Chatbots vs. AI Chatbots vs. Virtual Assistants

Abstract

The terms “chatbot,” “AI chatbot,” and “virtual agent” are used in a way that often does not differentiate between them, which might lead to possible misunderstandings. Despite the fact that the technologies associated with these terms are inextricably linked to one another, the subtle differences that exist between them result in considerable differences in their unique capabilities. The term “chatbot” is often used to refer to a wide variety of artificial intelligence systems that are designed to carry on conversations. The development of artificial intelligence chatbot software has resulted in the creation of virtual agents, which constitutes a significant step forward. These agents participate in conversation via the use of AI methods known as conversational AI, and they make use of deep learning algorithms in order to improve their performance over time. This chapter discusses the differences between chatbots, AI chatbots and virtual assistants, and other related topics.