An Overview of the Differences Between Digital Workers, Chatbots and Bots

The future of work is rapidly changing. A paradigm shift is taking place in the way people work, and the methods businesses use to coordinate, collaborate and operate are undergoing a transformation. In an increasingly digital world, automation and artificial intelligence have infiltrated every aspect of business. As a result, employees now commonly interact with software instead of co-workers, tasks are more frequently assigned with algorithms instead of managers, and meetings are held digitally rather than in person. It’s no secret that technology has had a massive impact on the way businesses operate and their operating models. The processes by which companies operate have been forever changed due to automation, robotics and artificial intelligence. With social media platforms continuing to see explosive growth among users, it’s no surprise that chatbots are also growing in popularity among businesses as a means to automate customer service operations and drive user engagement.

What is a Chatbot?

A chatbot, also known as an artificial conversationalist or dialog bot, is a software designed to simulate a conversation with human users, especially over the internet. The aim of a chatbot is to create a dialogue between a customer and a service, or to provide information similar to a conversation with a helpful sales or service representative. Chatbots are often used via messaging apps where most of the communication happens asynchronously. Chatbots are programmed to respond to what a human user would type in as a response. These responses can be programmed to be almost instantaneous, or can be scheduled in advance. They also allow for various types of input, including text, emoji, and audio. Chatbots are typically used as a means to automate customer service operations, and are often integrated into social media platforms where many brands already have an established presence. They can also be programmed to provide information relevant to a specific industry, such as weather forecasts, stock market information, sports scores, flight information and more.

What is a Digital Worker?

A digital worker, also known as an autonomous worker or robo-worker, is a piece of software designed to complete a specific task. While chatbots are designed to simulate a conversation with human users, digital workers are programmed to complete specific tasks that have been predetermined by a human user. This can be done by programming the software to recognize certain trigger words, images or situations. Digital workers are often used to complete tasks that might be too complex for a chatbot to handle, or for which specific expertise is required. Digital workers are programmed to complete a specific task and then terminate after completion. They operate autonomously, which means they do not require active monitoring by a human user. The tasks digital workers are typically used for include image recognition, sentiment analysis (i.e. identifying positive or negative feelings in people’s opinions), handwriting recognition, language translation, content moderation, and more. Digital workers are also used in customer service operations, and can be integrated with chatbots as part of a hybrid approach.

What is a Bot?

A bot is a computer program that is designed to autonomously interact with humans using artificial intelligence. A bot can be programmed to respond to certain actions or trigger words, or it can be programmed to make decisions based on the input it receives from a user. Bots can be used in conjunction with chatbots to amplify the customer service experience. A human customer service representative can use a bot to monitor social media channels and respond to questions and comments that are relevant to the brand. It can also be used to distribute content, answer FAQs and moderate comments. Bots can be programmed to conduct image recognition, understand sentiment analysis and even make hiring decisions. They can be used in almost any industry, and are often used for customer service operations.

Digital Workers vs. Chatbots vs. Bots 

Chatbots, digital workers and bots are related in the sense that they are all types of software. However, each type is designed to complete different tasks, and they are often used together as part of a hybrid approach to customer service operations. Chatbots are designed to simulate a conversation with a customer, but they can be programmed to respond to certain actions or trigger words. They can also be programmed to recognize and moderate content posted to social media channels. Digital workers are designed to complete a specific task and then terminate. They can be programmed to respond to images and recognize certain actions or trigger words. Bots are designed to interact with humans, and they can be programmed to recognize certain actions or trigger words as well as respond to images.

Which of These Is Right for You?

When selecting software for customer service operations, brands must carefully consider the long-term implications of their operating model. Will integrating a chatbot or bot into your social media channels alienate your human customers? Do you have the resources required to monitor those platforms 24/7, or will you need to hire additional staff to respond to the increased volume of inquiries? How will you ensure your customers have a consistent experience across all channels? How will your staff be trained to use the software? With so many factors to consider when selecting a software for customer service operations, it’s important to select a solution that will best meet your needs. Choosing the wrong software could have a significant negative impact on your business, and an imperfect solution could cost your business more in the long run.

Conclusion

When selecting software for customer service operations, it’s important to understand the differences between chatbots, digital workers and bots. Each type of software is designed to complete different tasks, and they are often used together as part of a hybrid approach in customer service operations. With so many factors to consider when selecting software for customer service operations, it’s important to select a solution that will best meet your needs.