What is a chat application and chatbot?

A chat application is a software application that allows users to exchange textual messages in real time over the Internet. It allows people to communicate with each other even if they are in different locations. Chat applications can be used on a variety of devices such as smartphones, tablets and computers and are popular for both personal and business use.

A chatbot, on the other hand, is a specific type of software program designed to conduct automated conversations with users through a chat interface. The purpose of a chatbot is to enable interaction and communication between humans and machines, where the chatbot acts as a virtual interlocutor.

Chatbots can be programmed to operate according to predefined rules, responding to specific commands or questions. These are often used for simple tasks such as providing information or answering frequently asked questions. On the other hand, there are also more advanced chatbots that use artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing technology to have human-like conversations. These AI chatbots can understand and respond to natural language, and they learn and improve their ability to communicate the more interactions they have.

Chatbots are used in various fields such as customer service, online assistance, information provision, marketing and entertainment. They provide fast and efficient support to users and can help automate certain tasks and processes.