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April 22, 2016

Soon you might be texting with robots

  • Experts say messaging bots can handle a wider range of tasks than apps offered by retailers and other consumer businesses.
  • By BRANDON BAILEY
    AP Technology Writer

    SAN FRANCISCO — The robots are coming ... to help run your life, or sell you stuff, at an online texting service near you.

    In coming months, people who use Facebook's Messenger app, Microsoft's Skype and Canada's Kik for online chats can expect to find new automated assistants offering information and services at a variety of businesses. These messaging “chatbots” are basically software that's capable of human-like conversation — and of doing some simple jobs once reserved for actual people. Google and other companies are reportedly working on similar ideas.


     
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