Bot technology
Bots, such as chatbots, use a compilation of machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing and natural language generation to communicate with humans. Learn how to develop and apply intelligent bot technology in the enterprise.
Top Stories
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News
18 Nov 2021
Google makes chatbots accessible with Bot-in-a-Box
Available on Google Cloud, the feature is deployed in AI-powered Business Messages. Using pre-made bots, enterprises can connect with customers on different branded channels. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Nov 2021
Machine learning on microcontrollers enables AI
Using today's advanced AI systems to run machine learning on smaller devices like microprocessors offers benefits, but also limits, which experts are working to surmount. Continue Reading
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News
05 Nov 2021
AT&T uses Quickbase platform and RPA for efficiency
The telecommunications giant says Quickbase was able to quickly help its employees transition from physical locations to remote workspaces during the pandemic. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Aug 2021
RPA market booms as enterprises automate with bots
The RPA sector is expected to reach nearly $3 billion this year as new vendors compete with larger established RPA specialists and tech giants for enterprise automation business. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Aug 2021
6 top AI books to read in 2021
Many sources provide comprehensive information on the fundamentals and applications of artificial intelligence, so we narrowed the field to six of the more diverse AI books. Continue Reading
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News
22 Jul 2021
Amazon updates aim for Alexa everywhere
Amazon's latest Alexa advancements include better support for natural language, interoperability with more devices and support for devices running multiple voice assistants. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Jun 2021
5 top chatbot features to boost your AI plan
By infusing their chatbots with natural language understanding, contextual messaging and other AI features, enterprises can build and deploy more powerful chatbots. Continue Reading
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News
10 Jun 2021
Microsoft's acquisition of Nuance clears antitrust hurdle
The U.S. government didn't flag the Microsoft-Nuance acquisition as violating antitrust laws, but scrutiny of big tech continues as governments try to reign in powerful companies. Continue Reading
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News
04 May 2021
Pegasystems to release Process AI amid hyperautomation surge
Pegasystems will add intelligent automation features to its Pega Platform that apply event stream processing, machine learning and natural language processing to business actions. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Apr 2021
5 reasons NLP for chatbots improves performance
Experts say chatbots need some level of natural language processing capability in order to become truly conversational. Without language capabilities, bots are simple order takers. Continue Reading
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News
15 Apr 2021
IBM acquires MyInvenio to build its automation portfolio
IBM could use MyInvenio's process mining platform to direct its customers to its automation and AI portfolio, a practice that other technology vendors are using. Continue Reading
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News
15 Mar 2021
Google will develop RPA with Automation Anywhere
Google Cloud and a top robotic process automation vendor team up to focus on automating back-office tasks and later industries such as financial services, healthcare and retail. Continue Reading
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News
09 Mar 2021
Automation vendor WorkFusion raises $220 million
A new round of funding may vault WorkFusion into the top echelon of enterprise automation vendors currently occupied by UiPath, Blue Prism and Automation Anywhere. Continue Reading
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Podcast
05 Mar 2021
Tips for implementing voice technology in the enterprise
Consultant Mark Persaud names the most promising applications and workflows for intelligent digital assistants and outlines the tools for deploying them. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Mar 2021
AI projects yield little business value so far
Artificial intelligence has been red hot in recent years, but it is generating precious little business value so far, although World Remit and Virgin Hyperloop have met with some success Continue Reading
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News
17 Feb 2021
AI deployed as employee burnout detection tool
Employee burnout is one of the mental health issues that AI tools are helping HR to identify. The technology can analyze employee activities and communications for potential risk. Continue Reading
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News
27 Jan 2021
Google DialogFlow CX brings industry-specific chatbots
Google releases DialogFlow CX, a chatbot and voicebot platform geared for multi-channel enterprise customer service. It connects to leading telephony systems. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Dec 2020
Nuance CTO: Conversational AI is the 'next big step'
Conversational AI has steadily grown more advanced over the past several years. Nuance CTO Joe Petro explains why the vendor is refocusing on the technology. Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2020
ServiceNow will acquire AI startup Element AI
ServiceNow's acquisition of an AI startup based in Montreal marks the latest move by the cloud computing giant to add more automation and intelligence to its platform. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Oct 2020
How AI can be used in agriculture: Applications and benefits
The use of agricultural AI optimizes the farming industry by decreasing workloads, analyzing harvesting data and improving accuracy through seasonal forecasting. Continue Reading
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News
06 Oct 2020
HireVue acquires recruiting chatbot startup AllyO
HireVue, a video interviewing vendor, has acquired AllyO, a startup that makes chatbot technology for use in high-volume hiring. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Oct 2020
IBM chatbot gives voting information to Idaho residents
By turning to IBM Watson Assistant, the state of Idaho deployed a chatbot to help voters get information about the primary elections, which were mail-in only, back in May. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Sep 2020
Advantages of AI in agriculture include increased efficiency
Artificial intelligence has the capacity to improve the supply chain and agricultural industry by improving demand forecasting and increasing productivity. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Sep 2020
Application of AI in robotics boosts enterprise potential
The combination of AI and robotics has allowed companies to move past automation and tackle more complex and high-level tasks with their robots. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Sep 2020
AI in transportation reduces employee workloads
By using intelligent automation, a shipping company trimmed employee workloads, enabling employees to shift from document processing to customer service. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Sep 2020
RPA and AI strengthen weak links in supply chain workflows
Instead of an all-or-nothing approach to supply chain automation, RPA is most effective when targeted at subprocesses to improve high-volume, repetitive, error-prone tasks. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Aug 2020
AI in retail has helped retailers during COVID-19
During the Ai4 2020 virtual conference, a panel of retail experts discusses how AI and analytics have helped retailers deal with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Aug 2020
Automated document processing helps PPP applications
Using its own AI models, as well as technology from Abbyy, PwC can rapidly and correctly file a large volume of PPP loan applications. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Jul 2020
The state of AI in 2020 likely sees more adoption
AI adoption has appeared to grow this year, as organizations deploy automation to augment dwindling workforces and help deal with growing demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue Reading
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News
08 Jul 2020
IBM acquires RPA vendor to enhance automation suite
IBM bought a Brazilian RPA and chatbot vendor to expand its collection of automation products. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Jul 2020
Warehouse AI and robotics help train employees
Workers at a logistics and transportation company learn on the job with an autonomous cart, Chuck. The robot teaches employees the layout of the warehouses and where items are. Continue Reading
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News
24 Jun 2020
RPA use cases expanding in large enterprises
Robotic process automation veterans at Blue Prism's virtual conference talk business process automation strategies, obstacles and untethering bot deployments from cutting jobs. Continue Reading
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News
04 Jun 2020
Microsoft replaces dozens of journalists with AI system
In a cost-saving move, Microsoft is ending the employment of dozens of contract journalists in favor of AI systems. It's a risky move, though. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Jun 2020
10 ways to improve CX when developing virtual agents
Consider these 10 methods when building new virtual agents for your clients to help balance design, user experience, technical feasibility and business value. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 May 2020
Enterprises should not neglect AI digital transformation
Enterprises should focus on automation to augment their workforces as they recover from the COVID-19 economic downturn, and not lose sight of larger digital transformation projects. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 May 2020
AI in HR recruitment targets high-demand technology talent
As demand for technology talent persists, even during pandemic times, AI, chatbots and machine learning play an increasingly critical role in hiring choosy candidates. Continue Reading
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News
13 May 2020
Facebook advances AI used to detect hate speech
Facebook can now proactively find and flag hate speech better. Meanwhile, the social media giant's AI Research made BlenderBot, an advanced conversational AI system, open source. Continue Reading
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News
01 May 2020
SBA bans RPA for PPP loan applications after bots clog system
After a deluge of Paycheck Protection Program loan applications overwhelmed the SBA's electronic loan transfer system, the agency said it would no longer accept loans filed by RPA systems. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Apr 2020
AI helping higher education during the pandemic
By using AI and analytics, higher education schools can gauge how their students are faring at scale during the coronavirus pandemic. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Apr 2020
Can the future of voice assistants include enterprise use?
Voice assistants haven't had the success that companies originally expected. AI and machine learning could go a long way to boost this technology. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Apr 2020
AI and RPA are here to stay
The coronavirus pandemic has caused enterprises to rely more on AI technologies as they are forced to lay off employees or temporarily close their offices. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Mar 2020
AI and chatbots: Conversational app platforms are maturing
Chatbots have long been reliant on pre-written responses to common questions. With the incorporation of AI, however, chatbots can take an important step forward. Continue Reading
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News
06 Mar 2020
Amazon chatbots to employ neural networks for CX
Amazon tests neural network bots to help site customers and human agents more quickly identify answers to refund and order-cancellation questions. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Mar 2020
Advanced AI in financial services boosts fraud detection, efficiency
Financial firms plan to invest more into R&D on AI and plan to deploy advanced AI, like deep learning, within the next two years, according to a new survey. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Feb 2020
Customer experience chatbot provides answers
Upwork has slowly been rolling out a customer experience chatbot service from vendor Ada, which it uses in conjunction with Zendesk to help provide customers with support. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Feb 2020
AI in customer experience: Key benefits
Incorporating AI in customer interactions enriches the customer experience in multiple ways, builds brand loyalty and boosts efficiency. Learn about three ways AI improves CX. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Jan 2020
RPA in payroll automates finance processes for NYP hospital
NewYork-Presbyterian, one of the largest hospitals in the U.S., looked to WorkFusion to automate some payroll processes, including filling out missed punch forms. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Jan 2020
Hair salon uses front desk AI to boost appointments
A hair salon in Florida uses conversational AI to automatically engage clients over text. The bot answers questions and schedules appointments without human input. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Dec 2019
AI vendors to watch in 2020 and beyond
The past 10 years have seen a surge of new AI vendors, and the trend isn't likely to end anytime soon, as investors continue to pour money into artificial intelligence. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Nov 2019
Medline streamlines workflow by automating accounts payable
By using Abbyy for OCR and UiPath for RPA, Medline is automating accounts payable. This speeds up the filing of the 2,000 invoices the healthcare distributor receives daily. Continue Reading
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News
05 Nov 2019
Microsoft Power Platform gets AI and RPA updates
At Microsoft Ignite, the tech giant released new updates to ease RPA and AI building across its Power Platform, as well as new capabilities for Cortana within Microsoft 365. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Oct 2019
Building a better conversational AI assistant requires emotion
Industry after industry is seeing benefits from chatbot implementation, but customers and developers are looking toward a future of more connected, intelligent conversational agents. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Oct 2019
A chemical company simplifies workflows using RPA
Software from Automation Anywhere, an RPA vendor, was easy for Eastman Chemical Company employees to use at a desktop level to automatically handle daily tasks. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Oct 2019
Human-AI collaboration produces top results
Humans and machines have different -- and often complementary -- strengths and weaknesses. That's why we're not seeing automation leading to mass job losses, at least for now. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Sep 2019
Collaborative robots' safety stalls enterprise implementation
Cobots are promising big gains, especially in enterprises utilizing manual labor. However, due to a number of safety concerns, human workers are still at risk. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Sep 2019
Full benefits of voice assistant tech yet to be realized
Voice assistant technology is advancing rapidly, thanks to substantial vendor investment. But a new benchmark report reveals the most popular assistants still leave much to be desired. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Sep 2019
Using enterprise intelligent automation for cognitive tasks
RPA is no longer comprised of simple chatbots or repetitive programmed tasks. Enterprises are looking at RPA to move up the ladder of cognitive automation. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Aug 2019
The use of technology in education has pros and cons
Vendors continue to develop AI in education applications and technologies as students see benefits in using technology in the classrooms and when doing their homework. Continue Reading
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News
15 Aug 2019
IBM, Google report advances in conversational AI training
As enterprises rely more on conversational agents to power customer service efforts, tech vendors such as IBM and Google steadily develop new methods of training language models. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Aug 2019
Chatbots in customer service find success with focused goals
Chatbots can be a great adjunct to customer service, but a successful rollout requires careful planning, flexibility and clear objectives. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Aug 2019
Use of AI in government makes agencies smarter
Government agencies are starting to embrace some of the same AI technologies that typical enterprises use, and many are finding increased efficiencies along the way. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Jul 2019
How Oracle RPA systems can automate business tasks for users
Robotic process automation software can be integrated into Oracle environments to help strengthen business operations by augmenting workers with software robots. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Jul 2019
AI in financial services helps speed consumer interaction
By using AI in finance, financial organizations are able to speed processes that otherwise would require more manual input from employees or consumers. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Jul 2019
Consider these 12 RPA software vendors for deployment
RPA technology can help companies successfully automate their tasks and processes if they can sift through the options to determine the right system for their enterprise. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Jul 2019
Pushing past chatbot challenges will secure their longevity
For chatbots to remain in enterprise futures, developers and data scientists need to get flexible. From open source to intelligent sharing, chatbot collaboration will boost benefits. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Jul 2019
The future of voice assistants is multiturn conversations
The future looks promising for voice assistants, but for them to really live up to the hype, they are going to have to improve at true multiturn conversations. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Jun 2019
Successful retail robots improve the augmented workforce
The future of AI in the workplace relies on the successful integration of humans and bots. Retail use cases for cobots point to customer engagement and labor tasks. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Jun 2019
Applications of autonomous robots lead in the enterprise
In enterprise AI, bot technology is leading the charge. Seamless integration and process streamlining are initial benefits, but the true profit lies in what comes next -- auto-AI. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Jun 2019
Identify the best RPA tools using these points of consideration
A successful RPA implementation depends on selecting the proper tool. Learn about the different capabilities and other points of consideration when looking at the options. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 May 2019
How a chatbot sales platform helps King Kong on Broadway
Using an intelligent ticketing agent from vendor Broadw.ai, the Broadway production of 'King Kong' can better manage its brand while driving up ticket sales. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 May 2019
Deep learning recognition use cases grow as tech matures
As deep learning image and voice recognition technology improves, enterprises are finding novel ways to apply the technology to sharpen and improve their operations. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 May 2019
Cattlemen group uses Google AI to build a chatbot
Wondering 'where's the beef?' Ask Chuck, a chatbot created by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association -- one of hundreds of bots being deployed thanks to AI tools. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 May 2019
Learn the benefits of RPA and the drawbacks by industry
RPA is a hot IT commodity. Discover more of the benefits (and drawbacks) these tools can usher into organizations and how they can enhance workflows in different industries. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 May 2019
What is RPA technology and what can it do for your business?
RPA tools play an important role in modern companies because they can automate manual or repetitive human tasks, freeing workers to focus on more important work. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Apr 2019
Future of AI in transportation goes beyond self-driving cars
Transportation and logistics companies are eying an ever expanding role for AI in their products and services, ranging from safer cars to prompter shipments. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Apr 2019
Machine learning bots enable immediate paperless workplaces
Document digitization allows for the automatic extraction of data through rapid bot technology, as companies aim for a cost-effective, eco-friendly paperless workplace. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Apr 2019
Wield AI to personalize consumer products and aid logistics
Companies using AI to sell consumer products seek brand loyalty by using personalization, online sales capabilities and optimized inventory management Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Mar 2019
Address anonymity and data privacy in chatbot security
A key to successful enterprise chatbot security is to program your chatbot to recognize personal or sensitive information and treat it accordingly. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Mar 2019
Oracle Digital Assistant unifies use of enterprise chatbots
With Oracle Digital Assistant, users are able to create digital assistants with multiple chatbots that handle different tasks to help increase worker productivity. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Mar 2019
Chatbots in banking at Norway's largest financial company
By deploying semantics technology over neural networks, startup Boost.ai has created a conversational AI product that is used by the largest financial services company in Norway. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Mar 2019
RPA in banking gives fintech a competitive edge
RPA in banking is setting its sights on fintech and flexible banking to compete with traditional banking. Community banks still see hurdles despite potential to wield RPA. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Feb 2019
Natural language processing chatbots bring conversation to AI
A natural language processing chatbot that focuses on intent can boost the effectiveness of bot technology. By evolving conversationally, bots can become digital coworkers. Continue Reading
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News
22 Feb 2019
Google Cloud Speech-to-Text, Text-to-Speech see upgrades
Google upgrades its cloud-based speech and text products with higher accuracy levels, new WaveNet voice options and support for several new languages. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Feb 2019
Enterprises using AI in sales gain sharper view of customers
AI-powered sales tools are helping enterprise sales teams spend less time on tedious administrative tasks and get back to what they do best: selling. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Feb 2019
How to build better conversational AI bots for business uses
Conversational AI developers from Google, Uber and Autodesk detail dos and don'ts for designing chatbots and AI assistants that can interact effectively with users. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Feb 2019
AI for customer experience powers gains at enterprises
Customer experience is growing more central to enterprises' digital strategies, and AI is increasingly driving much of their engagement and retention efforts. Continue Reading
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News
30 Jan 2019
IBM Project Debater crowdsources to boost its AI, NLP skills
Project Debater, an IBM AI system, creates viewpoints with the help of people who type in arguments on topics. That may also help drive future business uses. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Jan 2019
Using AI in manufacturing processes surges quality and design
The addition of AI in manufacturing leads to increased workflow -- from design to production. Production plants are turning to technology to supplement the manufacturing skills gap. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Jan 2019
Time for a truce in IT’s battle with RPA
Lack of governance and limited resources have put IT departments at loggerheads with business-led robotic process automation. But RPA and IT teams can help each other out – if they play nice Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Dec 2018
AI in 2019 will be all about bots and pre-trained models
2019 promises to be a big year for AI, as we're likely to see some trends -- such as adoption of virtual assistants and strong venture capital funding -- continue and others emerge. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Dec 2018
AI winter is coming? Not this time, Tom Davenport says
A new AI winter, or downturn, is unlikely, even if the current slew of inflated expectations surrounding AI predicts inevitable disappointment, analytics expert Tom Davenport says. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Dec 2018
The future of AI technology: 2019 and beyond
Enterprise AI trends in 2019 will likely include more AI-powered tools for healthcare and fintech, as well as accelerating consolidation among smaller AI vendors. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Dec 2018
5 trends in AI that shaped 2018
2018 was a big year in the world of AI. Here we look at five of the leading trends in the use of AI to see how they set the stage for what should be further gains next year. Continue Reading
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Answer
17 Dec 2018
How does Salesforce Einstein Bot differ from other AI?
Salesforce's no-code bot authoring tool competes with Google, Amazon and Microsoft, but differentiating capabilities make it potentially more useful for the Salesforce user base. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Dec 2018
Enterprises put AI in supply chain to streamline processes
Supply chain AI is helping enterprises that rely on the movement of physical parts and products streamline their operations and automate tricky last-mile problems. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Dec 2018
Antisocial media and AI in play at Oxford Science and Ideas Festival
Facebook and other forms of social media were discussed at two linked events at the Oxford Science and Ideas Festival, alongside artificial intelligence and how it might augment humanity Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Nov 2018
NLP vs. NLU and the growing ability of machines to understand
NLP and NLU technologies are becoming more prominent in the enterprise. The former simply parses words, but the latter aims at a deeper level of understanding. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Nov 2018
AI in fashion design and retail takes center stage
AI and fashion are a natural pairing as clothing designers and retailers are using technology to monitor what's hot and improve the efficiency of manufacturing and supply chains. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Nov 2018
Countries need national strategy for AI to stay competitive
With the Chinese government funding artificial intelligence at an aggressive pace, the U.S. and other countries are facing substantial pressure to step up their investment. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Oct 2018
Nations sharpen AI strategies as global competition heats up
The U.S. and China are the leading countries in AI research and development right now, but nations throughout the world are developing strategies to remain competitive. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Oct 2018
Social media and AI beef up personalization in marketing
Enterprises are increasing their use of AI in social media marketing, helping produce more targeted content. As applications evolve, some surprising use cases are emerging. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Oct 2018
How AI process automation helps simplify enterprise workflows
The growing trend of putting AI in process automation tools is helping companies make their workflows more intelligent, offering an upgrade over traditional process automation tools. Continue Reading