[OPLIN 4cast] OPLIN 4cast #512: Bots are here, and they're changing communication

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OPLIN 4cast #512: Bots are here, and they're changing communication
October 19th, 2016

[image: Chat bot and future marketing concept , Man hand holding mobile
phone with automatic chatbot message screen with blue blur mini robot with
Hello bot text message abstract bokeh background .flare light] Have you
talked to a bot recently?

No, not a *ro*bot; these days, the word "bot" usually means the shortened
form of "chatbot." Chances are good that you have talked with one, though:
Apple's Siri, Microsoft's Cortana and Google Assistant are all examples of
voice-activated chatbots.  Bots help to run automated tasks, but don't have
to be voice-activated to be classified as a bot. Many large companies use
bots on Facebook Messenger to simplify simple tasks. For example, you can order
pizza from Dominos
<http://www.digitaltrends.com/social-media/dominos-facebook-chatbot/>, flowers
from 1-800-flowers
<http://digiday.com/brands/two-months-1-800-flowers-facebook-bot-working/>
and get automatic, personalized updates from CNN
<http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2016/04/12/news-gets-personal-with-cnn-for-facebook-messenger/>.
We've written about bots before <http://www.oplin.org/4cast/?s=chatbot>,
but bots are now exploding into popularity, and being employed for all
sorts of things.
- Chat Bots Aren’t a Fad. They’re a Revolution
<https://backchannel.com/the-chat-bot-revolution-is-upon-us-f3fa9e0b380#.5r89b4de9>.
[BackChannel] "In August, the White House’s chief digital officer announced
a new way to catch President Obama’s ear: a Messenger bot, allowing
citizens to “speak” directly to the administration through their Facebook
accounts. The U.S. government hasn’t historically been an early adopter of
new technology, so if it’s embracing bots, you know they’re having a
moment."
- Duolingo Adds Chat Bots to Help You Learn Languages Through Conversation
<http://lifehacker.com/duolingo-adds-chat-bots-to-help-you-learn-languages-thr-1787484495>.
[Lifehacker] "Duolingo is one of the most popular ways to learn a new
language, and today the iPhone app is getting an update that adds in chat
bots. These bots can help you learn a little quicker by using
conversational language."
- The chatbot will see you now: AI may play doctor in the future of
healthcare
<http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/artificial-intelligence-chatbots-are-revolutionizing-healthcare/>.
[Digital Trends] "Of all the fields that artificial intelligence will
disrupt in the coming years, healthcare may see the greatest paradigm
shift. AI’s influence in the industry will be deep and broad.
Image-recognition algorithms already help detect diseases at an astonishing
rate. Now, a few startups are using intelligent machines to redesign the
clinic, redefine the role of the practitioner, and reposition the patient
in relation to her own health."
- Interactive chatbot lets you speak in real-time with a World War I soldier
<http://mashable.com/2016/07/20/ww1-chatbot-australia/> [Mashable] "News
Corp Australia has launched a chatbot on Facebook Messenger that allows
users to interact with Tasmanian soldier Archie Barwick, who fought in
World War I. The chatbot was created by AnzacLive, an interactive project
that helps users learn more about the personal experiences of Australians
on the frontline."

*Articles from Ohio Web Library <http://ohioweblibrary.org>:*

   - Why you should think twice before spilling your guts to a chatbot
   <http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.oplin.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pwh&AN=115982072>.
(Mott,
   Nathaniel. *Christian Science Monitor*, 6/8/2016.)
   - Retailers increasingly experimenting with chatbots
   <http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.oplin.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pwh&AN=6FPTS2016062038547257>.
   (Wong, Queenie. *The Mercury News, Toronto Star* , 06/20/2016.)
   - How can I help? Chatbots offer full customer support with no call
   waiting
   <http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.oplin.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cmh&AN=2W63841326765>.
   ( Murai, Shusuke.  *Japan Times*, Jul 12, 2016.)

------------------------------
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