WhatsApp, the most popular messaging app in the world with over one billion users, has added new end-to-end encryption to its Messenger application. The new feature was released shortly after an attack by the Taliban on March 22 in which terrorists kidnapped and murdered several people who had gathered to celebrate the spring festival of Holi. One victim’s family said they received WhatsApp messages from her phone describing her murder as it happened, but since the messages were encrypted, they couldn’t get access to them until they saw her body and accessed her unlocked phone to retrieve them. WhatsApp Goes One-Up on Telegram
What is a Bot?
Now, messaging services like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are beginning to incorporate AI into their systems. Bots are a new way of communicating with these services through direct messaging. If you’ve ever used an instant messenger or even interacted with customer service over Twitter or Facebook, then you’ve already come across bots. But unlike traditional chatbots that simply respond with programmed answers when their keywords are searched for, advanced bots can do much more than just search for keywords and deliver set responses based on those results.
How Are Bots Used?
Bots are popular in business and personal communications because they automate simple tasks that you might not have time to do. WeChat, Facebook Messenger, Slack, and even WhatsApp use bots. These bots let you make restaurant reservations, check your flight status (or get notified if it’s been delayed), send a message to your bank for help with a question about your account balance, or order a pizza.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bots
We’ve discussed how AI and chatbots are becoming increasingly common in messaging apps, but one of their biggest uses isn’t for chatbots themselves. Instead, it’s for FAQs and similar information. This way, users can query what they need to know without getting into a conversation with an automated bot that might not be able to answer them.
Why Is This Important?
The Facebook-owned WhatsApp has added another feature from its rival messaging app, Telegram. The feature enables users to create a link that can be shared with others and can contain text, pictures or videos. They will see whatever you’ve shared inside of a chat box within their app. Additionally, recipients who want to view your message won’t have to download it. Instead, they will be prompted to do so when they click on your link.
What Can You Do with Bots?
Bots can provide important information in a user’s preferred method of communication, whether that be over text or voice. In addition to providing users with information when they need it, bots can also help with administrative tasks such as tracking inventory, scheduling meetings, and much more.