CONVERSATIONAL AI: Best AI, Examples, Companies, Guide & Course

Clients have questions about your products and services, and they’re posting them on Instagram, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and every other social media site there is. Where are you when they call? It might be difficult for most companies to keep tabs on social media activity around the clock. To that end, conversational AI is useful. A conversational AI chatbot or virtual assistant can be quite helpful when there are too many questions and not enough humans to answer them. Also, conversational AI has the potential to significantly boost your online profile. It can improve your team’s productivity, letting you serve more consumers in less time. Keep reading and you will get to know more about conversational AI courses, companies, and examples.

What is Conversational AI?

Conversational AI is a subset of AI that allows users to have natural conversations with their devices, just like they would with real people.

Furthermore, advanced chatbots, or AI chatbots, are the most common manifestation of conversational AI. The technology can also be used to improve upon existing voice assistants and digital intermediaries. Although still in their infancy, technologies for conversational AI are developing quickly and seeing widespread use.

Unlike traditional chatbots, which are limited in their ability to answer inquiries, fix problems, and engage in small talk, conversational AI chatbots can do all of these things and more. Conversational AI interactions are designed by some top companies to be accessed and done across different mediums, including audio, video, and text, while static chatbots are often hosted on a company website and limited to textual conversations.

How Does Conversational AI Work?

There are two primary mechanisms at work in conversational AI. The first of these is artificial learning. Simply speaking, machine learning refers to software that is able to “learn” and get better with frequent use. It learns from its own interactions and stores the data it gathers. Also, it stores this data and gradually applies it to get better over time.

The end result is a system that improves over time, becoming more useful a year after it has been implemented on your website.

The other is known as NLP or natural language processing. This is the mechanism by which AI acquires a grasp of the English language. Natural language generation is the next step once it has been trained to recognize words and sentences. It communicates with your clients in this way.

However, if a consumer were to send you a direct message on social media inquiring when they could expect to get their order, the conversational AI chatbot would know just what to say in response. It will do this because it has learned which phrases work best when responding to shipping-related questions from its previous interactions with users.

The concept may sound laborious, but conversational AI chatbots actually provide a relatively easygoing service for customers.

Components of Conversational AI

There are four basic components of conversational AI. Here is what you need to know about them.

#1. Automatic Speech Recognition (Asr)

Automatic speech recognition is one of the aspects of artificial intelligence that are utilized in speech communications. The system is able to recognize human voice inputs thanks to the application of ASR, which also allows it to filter out background noise, apply speech-to-text to deduce the query, and simulate a human-like response. Led dialogue and natural language conversations are the two forms that automatic speech recognition software (ASR) can take.

However, directed dialogue is an easier form of automatic speech recognition (ASR) that can respond to yes/no questions. Natural language conversations are more complex and extensive forms of automatic speech recognition (ASR) that replicate actual discussions between humans.

#2. Natural Language Processing (NLP)

With NLP, raw information may be transformed into a machine-readable format and then processed to generate the desired result. These natural language processing technologies contribute back to machine learning to improve conversational AI algorithms.

Furthermore, natural language processing is crucial to conversational AI because it enables the system to understand human input and generate pertinent responses. There are four main steps involved in understanding audible language:

• Reinforcement learning: By giving a system positive or negative reinforcement, it can be taught to make decisions on its own. The program has a goal, and it uses a number of techniques to achieve that goal. Also, each choice’s impact on goal achievement earns points. In natural language processing, this is utilized so the system may take criticism and grow from its interactions with others.
• Input analysis: The goal of the intent analysis is to understand the user’s motivation behind entering data. If the input is textual, conversational AI will employ NLU to make sense of the words and determine what they mean. Automatic speech recognition (ASR) and natural language understanding (NLU) are going to work together to decipher voice input.
• Input generation: Conversational AI relies on a steady stream of new data, which is generated through the process of “input generation.” A user’s input on a website or app can be either typed in or spoken aloud.
• Dialogue management: The pace of a conversation, as well as decisions like when to halt for clarification, are managed by dialogue. Natural Language Generation constructs this feature (NLG). However, some top companies use dialogue management by conversational AI to keep tabs on talks and figure out what data has been received and what data is still needed. So, the system can carry on the discussion by asking follow-up questions or providing further information.

#3. Machine Learning (ML)

Machine learning (ML) is a subfield of AI that uses various statistical models and algorithms to learn from data and predict future outcomes. Conversing with a computer is made possible with the help of machine learning. It allows the system to improve its understanding of human language and responses based on the data it collects over time. Many different varieties of machine learning (ML) are used in conversational AI, including supervised learning, unsupervised learning, deep learning, and neural networks.

#4. Data Mining

Data mining is the process of finding meaningful patterns in large data sets. Developers and companies can improve the performance of conversational AI by using data mining to uncover useful patterns and insights in conversational data. Data mining and machine learning share many similarities, but data mining is used to discover previously undiscovered characteristics, whereas machine learning is more concerned with making predictions based on historical information.

What Are the Types of Conversational AI That Companies Might Employ?

Here are some types of conversation AI that companies might employ for easy tasks.

#1. Chatbots

Initially, chatbots were thought to be popular because of their potential to automate customer service. Nevertheless, the current trend with chatbots has taken an entirely unexpected, and much more pleasant, turn. Unless your company is among the largest in the world, you probably won’t get a worthwhile return on your AI investment by automating your contact center’s customer service functions.

There will be a wide variety of venues where chatbots can be found in the future, including websites, Facebook Messenger, iMessage, display advertising, and more. It does not just support queries they’re fielding in these cases; they’re also helping customers zero in on things they’ll want to buy.

However, this isn’t the only solution to the overwhelming number of options available to customers today, but it’s a promising one because it encourages consumers to engage in an in-depth discussion with a knowledgeable guide. Professionals in the field have begun referring to this new subset as “Conversational Marketing” or “Conversational Commerce” (depending on the context), although it is only possible because of recent advances in conversational AI.

#2. Interactive Voice Recognition Systems

The masterpiece of conversational AI, these were the first systems used by companies to automate their customer service processes and cut costs in the contact center. Even though many people didn’t like using systems like this once voice recognition technology started to appear on the market in the 1990s, businesses couldn’t afford to use them because of the money they saved.

They are now being used in conjunction with other forms of automation in customer service, either exclusively or in combination. For example, T-Mobile recently announced that they would be eliminating these systems in favor of a more human approach to customer service; however, they also plan to eventually implement new conversational AI-like chatbots and obviously find other efficiencies within their customer service offering and overall customer experience.

#3. Voice Assistants

Although voice assistants are similar to chatbots, they differ in that users must speak aloud to exchange information. As a result, the industry has shifted to accommodate a wider range of uses beyond simple transactions. Some examples of popular usage cited by users include making phone calls, playing music, setting alarms or reminders, getting information about the day’s weather, or controlling smart home devices. Skills created by developers working for brands and other organizations enable customers to pose inquiries about the brand, participate in branded onboarding experiences, and gain access to supplementary brand guidance, recommendations, and so on.

However, it’s important to remember that while deploying voice assistants might be beneficial for brands, doing so on its own won’t generate full-funnel engagement. Few companies have made use of the benefits of conversational AI over speech yet, but it provides a compelling entry point for consumers to begin product searches, ask consideration questions, and set out in their minds the elements of particular products they are considering. For these reasons and more, a conversational AI brand strategy should include voice as a key component.

#4. Mobile Assistants

In the same way that home voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomePod can be helpful to companies, so too can mobile assistants like Siri, Google Now, and others, though in most cases, consumers are using mobile assistants to perform the functions they need to be done quickly but when their hands are full. This would be the equivalent of using a text-to-speech capability while driving, sending short messages, checking the weather, or obtaining search engine results.

Furthermore, brands may exploit this as another entrance point, and several are already experimenting with methods like mobile voice ordering as a result. Yet, for the most part, a voice-only Conversational AI approach again places an unwarranted restriction on the extent to which customers would engage with and return to a company. Clients are less likely to interact with a brand if they are required to do so in public settings or when they have a need for privacy in their communications.

What Is the Difference Between Chatbots and Conversational AI?

Conversational AI systems have a wide range of potential applications due to their flexibility in training levels, from personal assistants to customer service to internal business process automation.

You may already be familiar with the simplest form of Conversational AI: the frequently asked questions (FAQ) bot. Known as chatbots, these simple computers require you to enter a specific term in order to receive a satisfactory response. These chatbots are so straightforward that they may not qualify as Conversational AI because they don’t use natural language processing, dialog management, or machine learning to improve over time.

When it comes to Conversational AI applications, Virtual Personal Assistants are the next logical step in terms of maturity. Google Home, Apple’s Siri, and Amazon’s Alexa are just a few examples of conversational AI. They’re linear, don’t carry over information from one conversation to another, and are good for general purposes. These helpers utilize ASR and NLP but only provide basic conversational controls.

The next step up is the virtual “customer” assistant, which is a task-specific Conversational AI system. You’ve probably interacted with a virtual client assistant, which is becoming increasingly popular as a scalable customer service method. The user experience is improved since these programs remember their settings and utilize them in subsequent interactions.

Furthermore, virtual Employee Assistants are as intelligent as their customer-facing counterparts. These programs are known as Robotic Process Automation because of their ability to automate specific tasks. They are implemented to facilitate business processes. The most cutting-edge Conversational AI technologies are commonly used in both Virtual Customer Assistants and Virtual Employee Assistants, and they are typically tightly integrated with the companies’ back office systems to provide a contextual and personalized experience for customers and employees.

Conversational AI Companies 

Connecting with customers requires a high level of human interaction and hospitality. Almost no one would rather have a machine call them back than a real person. In addition, customers dislike waiting for a person for extended periods of time. Also, a high volume of callers can overwhelm your staff.

Many businesses can benefit from using conversational AI to improve customer service, which will decrease this problem and boost productivity. It enables users to interact with chatbots in much the same way as they would with a human. Artificial intelligence technology can reply to questions in a way that seems almost human. Here are some of the top and best conversational AI companies to watch.

#1. Dialogflow

Dialogflow is a Web search company that creates products for interacting with computers. It advertises itself as a “lifelike conversational AI with state-of-the-art virtual agents,” which can be used for automatic speech intelligence in customer support or chatbots in business-to-consumer engagements. This user interface is usable in numerous contexts, such as IVR or browser applications.

Furthermore, the powerful performance dashboards and analytics provided by Dialogflow make it possible to access a worldwide consumer market and localize the interface into more than 30 languages and variants. Companies like Malaysia Airlines and Domino’s Pizza have found success with Dialogflow, so it’s clear that this is an interface to keep an eye on.

#2. inFeedo

If you run a business with a large number of remote workers, you might be interested in this new conversational AI startup. inFeedo, which bills itself as Asia’s leading employee experience platform, aims to develop conversational AI to increase productivity among remote workers and reduce “burnout.”

Amber, inFeedo’s chatbot, is powered by the company’s natural language processing (NLP) engine and helps workers connect through a history of shared interactions. In addition to providing compassionate comments, this program may delve deeper into potential employee difficulties by understanding the conversation’s intent. It’s no surprise that this program helps over 500 workers in 60+ countries, given that it can understand more than 100 tongues.

#3. Amazon Lex

Amazon Lex is an AWS service that uses artificial intelligence to have natural-sounding conversations. Also, it is a robust deep learning tool that gives developers access to the same features as the ubiquitous Amazon Alexa. This solution incorporates sophisticated natural language models into the development of conversational user interfaces for a wide range of software.

Furthermore, Amazon Lex can not only carry out basic automatic activities thanks to its understanding of purpose and context, but it can also connect to other AWS services to enquire about data and track performance. Developers keen on testing out this complex chatbot have 12 months of access to AWS’s Free Tier.

#4. Yellow.ai

Yellow.ai’s mission is to develop a groundbreaking business chatbot that can serve the needs of more than a thousand companies throughout the world. The goal of Yellow.ai is not to make a “dumb bot,” but rather a dynamic chatbot. The company’s chatbot is functional in over 150 languages and 70 different nations.

Furthermore, Yellow.ai’s technology is built around a proprietary NLP engine that can interpret the context of a question and respond “naturally” to it. This engine can deliver these multilingual speech conversational bots to customers and organizations in as little as 10 days, without the need for a developer or data scientist. It’s not surprising that Yellow.ai made the cut, given that they’ve helped generate over $100 million in value for their clients.

#5. Proto

Proto creates chatbots for government and corporate clients in emerging regions, supporting more than a hundred languages with scarce resources, including Tagalog, Kinyarwanda, and Twi. The chatbots created by Proto are one-of-a-kind in their capacity to simultaneously talk in a number of languages, including hybrid tongues like Taglish.

Chatbots built with Proto’s proprietary NLP engine is being deployed extensively in the government service sector to make previously inaccessible services like consumer protection and business registration more easily available to the public. However, it also provides private sector-specific chatbots for use by e-pharmacies, private banks, utility suppliers, and others.

#6. Microsoft Azure

When it comes to advancing technology, Microsoft is not the type of firm to hold back on using AI. To facilitate the development of conversational bots, Microsoft Azure offers a service called Power Virtual Agents. Furthermore, users of Microsoft Azure don’t have to know how to code in order to make these AI chatbots. Microsoft Azure also has these other features:

• Making use of a variety of media and channels
• Centralized management for safe scaling
• The rapid development of bots with the ability to learn and adapt

Microsoft Azure is not just secure, but it also has a plethora of useful functions. It has been said that Microsoft spends over $1 billion annually on cybersecurity and employs 3,500 specialists in the field. Customers who desire to try out this technology for a year at no cost can do so by redeeming Microsoft credits.

Conversational AI Examples

Chatbots and virtual assistants such as Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, Cortana, etc. are examples of conversational AI. These helpers are able to interpret the user’s context and language to provide appropriate responses.

Conversational assistants understand natural language and human intent to offer customized solutions to handle difficult customer problems, unlike traditional chatbots which can only supply pre-built answers to questions presented in specified ways. Here are a few examples of conversational AI:

#1. Set Up Meetings: Smartaction

Smart scheduling of appointments helps companies save both time and money. The outcome is shorter wait times for customers. In addition, a positive customer experience (CX) can be enhanced by providing a smooth, hassle-free encounter.

Appointments may be scheduled, confirmation emails can be sent, and instructions can be given; all with the help of conversational ai. They also continuously collect data from talks with customers in order to optimize and fine-tune such encounters.

Any company serious about using AI automation technologies should seek out applications known for their intuitive design and natural conversational flow. Appointment reminders tailored to the individual’s schedule are another must-have tool for cutting down on missed appointments.

However, SmartAction offers automatic scheduling with conversational AI, which recognizes that making an appointment is not a simple exchange but rather a back-and-forth discussion in which both parties must reach a compromise on the day and time.

Furthermore, with the use of significant work schedules data, the company’s conversational AI offers a truly natural language experience. The virtual assistants provided by SmartAction are very good to deal with any scheduling query or interaction you may imagine.

Most customers today would rather schedule appointments online or over the phone, and incorporating chatbots or Voice AI technology into your company’s phone service can streamline this process and increase customer satisfaction. Bots may be used by customers in a wide variety of enterprises, including restaurants, beauty parlors, medical clinics, auto repair shops, and more, thanks to the versatility of conversational AI.

#2. Make Product and Service Suggestions: Automat.ai

Unanimity will exist among businesses regarding the significance of client feedback in shaping how those businesses operate. Why not put AI to use in making product and service recommendations if it can offer simple, personalized suggestions?

Automat.ai is one of the fantastic examples of a conversational AI that is capable of doing precisely that. Automat is an AI system with excellent listening abilities that “understands every client.” It features an in-built product recommendation engine that provides customized suggestions and keeps customers engaged throughout their purchasing journeys.

It is programmed to make timely product recommendations and elaborate on why such products are ideal for the user, reassuring the customer that their needs are being met. The eCommerce Personalization Suite from Automat helps businesses increase customer loyalty, boost sales, and inspire consumer confidence in their online purchases.

Furthermore, automat does this by checking a company’s product catalog once every ten minutes. The software learns the customer’s origin when they visit an online shop and begins constructing a profile based on that information.

Automat conducts interviews with customers while they are in the store. The technology learns the customer’s interests and preferences from their responses and then makes recommendations based on those factors whenever the customer returns to the site.

#3. Find Solutions for Your Clients: Cognigy

Artificial intelligence that can have a conversation is ideal for use in the service industry. Your clients will appreciate having quick, round-the-clock access to the answers to their problems, and it will allow your company to provide service around the clock.

Conversational AI bots help companies save money on customer care and make better use of human employees’ time. LiveEngage, Bold360, MobileMonkey, and Cognigy are among the most popular programs available.

Also, the airline industry is one that is succeeding. During the COVID-19 aviation crisis, Lufthansa hired the conversational AI services of Cognigy to better help its clients.

Customers could use the bot to conduct everything from checking on the status of their flight to rescheduling it if they missed it. When a bot detects that a conversation has become too complex, it hands off the call to a human operator.

#4. Improve Interactions with Clients: Boost.ai

Getting clients’ interest is crucial for every company. Conversational AI chatbots allow businesses to interact with leads in real-time and contact customers at risk of leaving for a rival. Companies can also use specific audiences and customized offers to keep clients coming back.

Chatbots can respond more quickly than people can, and their ability to collect and remember information means they have a deeper understanding of what makes customers tick. Consumers like to have their questions or concerns addressed immediately by a live person.

In fact, 90% of customers think it’s crucial that businesses respond to their sales or marketing inquiries within 10 minutes. These bots allow customers to contact a business 24/7 and receive a response or solution quickly.

Boost.ai is an automated semantic understanding (ASU) platform that enables businesses to tailor-make high-powered, industry-specific virtual assistants for their clients. In addition, its dialogue builder requires no coding and may be scaled indefinitely.

Conversational AI Courses

Conversational applications are not only seeing a rebirth as a result of the increasing amount of our lives that are moving online but they are also being considered to be one of the stepping stones on the path to digital transformation. Hence, if you have been thinking about venturing into the realm of conversational AI, the quarantine period might be the ideal moment for you to do so. In our selection of conversational AI courses and tutorials, you should be able to find something that suits your needs, regardless of whether you are an experienced conversational designer or a newbie. Here are some best conversational AI courses: 

#1. Conversation Design Institute (All-Course Access)

Our top pick is the Conversation Design Institute, which provides various conversation design courses to help you learn how to create a conversationally natural chatbot and voice assistant scripts. With All-Course Access, you’ll get unlimited access to all CDI course content. 

This chatbot course provides a library of tools for constructing your own chatbots or voice assistants. It can also be used to create AI companions and other fictitious characters. On the other hand, it’s a fantastic choice if you’re interested in developing a wide range of expertise in the area of conversational AI. Individuals can use this information to better narrow down their options for a career path within the field. Also, read WHAT IS A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT: Meaning Services and Salary.

You can watch over 130 video lectures and access all CDI certification courses with the all-course access. These seminars are routinely updated with brand-new content. You’ll have access to a wealth of resources, including CDI-exclusive live classes taught by industry professionals, quizzes, downloadable templates, subsidized event registration, the CDI alumni network, and much more.

Key features of this course include: 

• Various Courses Available
• Complete access to CDI’s instructional resources
• A repository of resources for use in creating conversational interfaces
• 130+ video lectures
• Hands-on advice

The best way to learn about chatbot programming is through Conversation Design Institute’s comprehensive course access. 

#2. Building an Intelligent Bot (Microsoft)

With this course, you’ll be able to easily start constructing sophisticated bots able to take speech, process it into intents, and react back with text-chat based as well as voice-enabled answers.

What’s in it:

• Developing basic bots;
• Upgrading bots with advanced conversational features and the Language 
• Understanding service;
• Incorporating personality chat;
• Adding Text-to-Speech and Speech-to-Text;
• Integrating bots with online apps.

#3. Build & Deploy AI Messenger using IBM Watson

The “Build & Deploy AI Messenger using IBM Watson” guided project takes around an hour and a half to complete and will help you create a fully functional chatbot that can engage with clients and earn bookings. It’s another wonderful alternative for newbies because it doesn’t need any coding knowledge to get started. 

As soon as the chatbot is complete, it can be released to Messenger using Facebook Developers. It’s capable of communicating with clients, responding to their inquiries, and taking reservations. 

IBM Watson’s chatbot interface with Messenger becomes available once participants create an IBM Cloud account. 

The course’s highlights include the following: 

• Absolutely no programming skills are necessary
• Make a fully functional chatbot.
• Deploy Chabot to Messenger
• IBM Cloud account.

What Are the Benefits of Conversational AI?

Here are some top benefits of conversational AI.

#1. Saves Time

Every single one of your clients would have a perfect interaction with your customer support team. However, the truth is that some consumers will have questions that are easier than others when they come to you for help. Using a chatbot or virtual assistant can help you meet everyone’s demands without using your resources too much.

You and your employees can focus on the more challenging cases while AI chatbots handle the simpler ones. It shortens the delay on both ends as well. 

In addition, conversational AI, unlike you and your team, can process many claims simultaneously. The resulting customer support system is far more effective.

#2. Lower Customer Service Cost

Sadly, many businesses view customer service as little more than an expense. Training and paying agents to work round-the-clock in order to respond to tickets in seemingly endless lines is expensive. In fact, conversational AI may help down the cost of providing support to customers. There are a number of options for doing so. The most mundane and repetitive tasks in support organizations can be automated with the help of AI. The support crew may tire of handling tickets asking for password changes or purchasing progress updates from clients.

#3. Outside-Of-Hours Sales

One of the advantages of conversational AI is how it may help clients with their purchasing decisions. The 24/7 availability of sales is a major perk of having an Internet store. Only consumers with shipping, sales, or product queries, when no agents are available, may prevent that.

This is easily remedied by a chatbot or digital assistant. It’s always open, so it can help anyone waiting to answer a query before checking out. This means that purchases happen more quickly and that clients are less likely to lose interest in making a purchase.

Which Chat AI Is Most Advanced?

Netomi is the most advanced chat AI currently. This software allows businesses to quickly and easily resolve customer care tickets via email, chat, message, and voice. Its powerful Natural Language Understanding (NLU) engine gives it the highest accuracy of any customer support chatbot. It has an all-encompassing AI customer service experience and can address over 70% of customer issues without any human participation. Netomi is compatible with the industry’s best agent desk software right out of the box, making it a no-brainer for any company to implement. WestJet, Brex, Zinus, Singtel, Circles Life, WB Games, and HP are just some of the many firms that the company collaborates with.

Conclusion

Conversational AI is an essential instrument for the expansion of companies. Because of its great degree of adaptability, the number of fields in which it can be used is likely to continue expanding. Because it is a tool that is useful to companies as well as individual customers, we should anticipate that its use will become more widespread in the years to come.

Conversational AI FAQs

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Reference

• ibm.com
• boost.ai
• blog.hootsuite.com
• zendesk.com
• alphapartnerstrainings.com
• interactions.com