Google to make 'chat bot' play, report says

SAN FRANCISCO -- Google is creating tools for software developers to build chat bots that run inside messaging apps such as Facebook Messenger and Google's own messaging products, according to a published report. The technology giant plans to discuss some of the details at its annual developer conference, which starts Wednesday, The Information reported. "Essentially, Google wants to get into the bot-making business more broadly than people realized, and in a way that's similar to Microsoft's strategy, and relying on its strengths in artificial intelligence to convince developers to use its tools," the report reads. Google, like Microsoft, missed out on the new wave of messaging apps which are some of the world's most popular apps. The Wall Street Journal reported in December that Google planned to integrate chat bots, interactive software powered by artificial intelligence that answer questions inside a messaging app, so that users can send queries as text messages.