Chatbots gain more sophistication and popularity for business applications

Thanks to developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies, chatbots are changing the way businesses communicate with the world -- including their customers. Plug-and-play machine learning data models that can instantly analyze information and provide intelligent insights? Yep, Microsoft has'em, it says. Chatbots, computer programs that simulate human conversations through AI, in most cases communicate with real people -- but applications are being developed that enable them to communicate with each other. The use of chatbots is on the rise, and they are becoming more sophisticated, said Jen Looper, a web and mobile developer and founder of Ladeez First Media, a developer of mobile apps specializing in education and fitness.