Chatbots, big data and the future of customer service

The rise and development of big data has paved the way for an incredible array of chatbots in customer service. Here's what to know.

Big data is changing the direction of customer service. Machine learning tools have led to the development of chatbots. They rely on big data to better serve customers.

How are chatbots changing the future of the customer service industry and what role does big data play in managing them?

Big data Leads to the deployment of more sophisticated chatbots

BI-kring published an article about the use of chatbots in HR about a month ago. This article goes deeper into the role of big data when discussing chatbots.

The following terms are more popular than ever: 'chatbot', 'automated customer service', 'virtual advisor'. Some know more, others less about process automation. One thing is for sure: if you want to sell more on the internet, handle more customers, save on personnel costs, you certainly need a chatbot. A chatbot is a conversational system that was created to stimulate intelligent conversation between a human and an automaton.

Chatbots rely on machine learning and other sophisticated data technology. They are constantly collecting new data from their interactions with customers to offer a better experience.

But how commonly used are chatbots? An estimated 67% of consumers around the world have communicated with one. That figure is going to rise sharply in the near future. In 2020, over 85% of all customer service interactions will involve chatbots.

A chatbot makes it possible to automate customer service in various communication channels, for example on a website, chat, in social media or via SMS. In practice, a customer does not have to wait for hours to receive a reply from the customer service department, a bot will provide an answer within a few seconds.

According to requirements, a chatbot may assume the role of a virtual advisor or assistant. For questions where a real person has to become involved, in analyzing the received enquiries bots can not only identify what issue the given customer is addressing but also to automatically send it to the correct person or department. Machine learning tools make it easier to determine when a human advisor is needed.

Bots supported by associative memory algorithms understand the entire content even if the interlocutor made a mistake or a typo. Machine learning makes it easier for them to decipher contextual meanings by interpreting these mistakes.

Response speed and 24/7 assistance are very important when it comes to customer service, as late afternoons and evenings are times of day when online shops experience increased traffic. If a customer cannot obtain information about a given product right there and then, it is possible that they will just abandon their basket and not come shop at that store again. Any business would want to prevent that a customer journey towards their product takes a turn the other way, especially if it's due to a lack of appropriate support.

Online store operators, trying to stay a step ahead of the competition, often decide to implement a state-of-the-art solution, which makes the store significantly more attractive and provides a number of new opportunities delivered by chatbots. Often, following the application of such a solution, website visits increase significantly. This translates into more sales of products or services.

We are not only seeing increased interest in the e-commerce industry, chatbots are successfully used in the banking industry as well. Bank Handlowy and Credit Agricole use bots to handle loyalty programmes or as assistants when paying bills.

What else can a chatbot do?

Big data has made it easier for chatbots to function. Here are some of the benefits that they offer:

• Send reminders of upcoming payment deadlines.
• Send account balance information.
• Pass on important information and announcements from the bank.
• Offer personalised products and services.
• Bots are also increasingly more often used to interact with customers wishing to order meals, taxis, book tickets, accommodation, select holiday packages at travel agents, etc.

The insurance industry is yet another area where chatbots are very useful. Since insurance companies are already investing heavily in big data and machine learning to handle actuarial analyses, it is easy for them to extend their knowledge of data technology to chatbots.

The use of Facebook Messenger chatbots during staff recruitment may be surprising for many people.

Chatbots are frequently used in the health service as well, helping to find the right facilities, arrange a visit, select the correct doctor and also find opinions about them or simply provide information on given drugs or supplements.

As today every young person uses a smartphone, social media and messaging platforms for a whole range of everyday tasks like shopping, acquiring information, sorting out official matters, paying bills etc., the use of chatbots is slowly becoming synonymous with contemporary and professional customer service. A service available 24/7, often geared to satisfy given needs and preferences.

Have you always dreamed of employees who do not get sick, do not take vacations and do not sleep? Try using a chatbot.

Big data has led to fantastic developments with chatbots

Big data is continually changing the direction of customer service. Chatbots rely heavily on the technology behind big data. New advances in machine learning and other data technology should lead to even more useful chatbots in the future.

Author: Ryan Kh

Source: SmartDataCollective

The increasing use of AI-driven chatbots for customer service in Ecommerce

AI-powered chatbots have revolutionized the way Ecommerce businesses handle customer service. With the ability to provide immediate responses and resolutions, chatbots ensure that customers receive prompt assistance at any time of day or night. These chatbots are programmed with natural language processing (NLP) capabilities, allowing them to understand and interpret human language accurately.

Moreover, AI-powered chatbots can collect data on customer interactions and use it for personalization purposes in future exchanges. They can also learn from their previous conversations, continually improving their responses over time. As a result, businesses can offer more informed recommendations and tailored solutions to customers’ problems.

Another significant advantage of AI-powered chatbots is that they help reduce operating costs by eliminating the need for human agents to attend to every customer query. Chatbots can handle multiple queries simultaneously without sacrificing quality or efficiency. This feature allows companies to streamline their operations while still providing an exceptional customer experience.

Benefits of Chatbots

Chatbots have become an essential part of customer service in the Ecommerce industry. One of the significant benefits of using chatbots is their ability to offer 24/7 customer support, which ensures that customers can get assistance at any time they need it. This feature helps businesses reduce wait times and improve customer satisfaction rates.

Another advantage of chatbots in Ecommerce is their efficiency in handling repetitive inquiries. As a result, businesses can free up their staff from handling these inquiries, allowing them to focus on complex tasks that require human intervention. Chatbots also help companies save money by reducing the need for additional staffing during peak periods.

Additionally, chatbots are excellent tools for collecting customer data and providing personalized recommendations based on their purchase history, preferences, and behavior patterns. This allows businesses to provide tailored services to each customer, increasing the likelihood of repeat purchases and improving overall loyalty. The use of AI-powered chatbots also helps companies stay ahead of the competition by offering cutting-edge technology that enhances the overall shopping experience for customers.

Challenges & Risks

One of the challenges that come with using AI-powered chatbots in Ecommerce customer service is ensuring that they are programmed to understand and respond appropriately to all types of customer inquiries. While chatbots have the potential to speed up response times and improve efficiency, they can also risk alienating customers if their responses are generic or irrelevant. As such, a significant amount of resources must be dedicated to developing chatbot algorithms that can handle complex queries and adapt to different situations.

One of the challenges of starting an ecommerce business is related to data privacy and security risks associated with chatbot interactions. Chatbots gather a vast amount of sensitive information from customers, including personal details such as names, addresses, and payment information. This makes them an attractive target for cybercriminals who may try to infiltrate the system and steal this valuable data. Companies must ensure that their security protocols are robust enough to protect against cyber attacks while still providing fast and convenient customer service.

Finally, there is a risk associated with relying too heavily on AI-powered chatbots at the expense of human interaction. While these algorithms can handle many routine tasks effectively, customers may still require personalized attention or assistance for more complex inquiries or issues. Over-reliance on automation may lead to decreased customer satisfaction levels over time as customers demand more direct interaction with human representatives who can provide empathy and context-specific solutions.

Ecommerce Use Cases

One of the most significant use cases for AI-powered chatbots in Ecommerce is customer service. With the ability to handle massive amounts of customer inquiries quickly, chatbots can improve response times and reduce wait times for customers. Additionally, chatbots can offer 24/7 support, which is particularly useful for businesses with global customers who are located in different time zones.

Another key use case for AI-powered chatbots in Ecommerce is product recommendations. By analyzing a customer’s browsing behavior and purchase history, chatbots can offer personalized product recommendations that are tailored to their unique preferences. This not only improves the overall shopping experience but also helps to increase sales by promoting products that customers are more likely to buy.

Finally, AI-powered chatbots can also be used for order tracking and delivery notifications. By providing real-time updates on the status of an order or delivery, chatbots can help reduce anxiety and uncertainty among customers while improving transparency and accountability within the supply chain.

Industry Examples

One industry that has been quick to adopt AI-powered chatbots in their customer service is the Ecommerce industry. With the increased demand for online shopping and a growing number of customers seeking 24/7 support, chatbots have become a valuable tool for Ecommerce businesses to provide efficient and effective customer service. These intelligent virtual assistants can handle multiple queries simultaneously, provide instant responses, and even offer personalized recommendations based on a customer’s purchase history.

Another industry that has leveraged the power of AI-powered chatbots is the banking sector. Banks are using chatbots to enhance their customer service by providing real-time assistance with account inquiries, transaction history, and even fraud detection. In addition to providing prompt responses, some banks have also integrated voice recognition technology into their chatbots to enable customers to complete transactions through voice commands securely.

Overall, AI-powered chatbots have proven to be an innovative solution for various industries looking to streamline their customer service operations. With advances in natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms, these virtual assistants are continually improving in their ability to understand complex queries and offer personalized solutions – making them an invaluable asset for companies seeking cost-effective ways of delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Future Outlook

The future of customer service in Ecommerce looks promising with the rise of AI-powered chatbots. These chatbots are designed to provide personalized support and assistance to customers, which can significantly improve their overall shopping experience. They are able to handle a variety of tasks, such as answering common questions, providing product recommendations, and even completing purchases.

One major advantage of using chatbots in customer service is that they are available 24/7. Customers no longer have to wait for business hours or deal with long hold times on phone calls. Chatbots can provide quick and efficient support at any time of the day, which can lead to higher customer satisfaction rates.

Looking forward, it’s expected that AI-powered chatbots will continue to evolve and become even more advanced in their capabilities. As they learn from interactions with customers, they will be able to provide increasingly accurate and relevant support. This could ultimately lead to reduced costs for businesses while also improving the overall shopping experience for customers.

Conclusion: Growing Role of AI

In conclusion, the growing role of AI in Ecommerce customer service is becoming increasingly important. The use of chatbots has revolutionized the way businesses interact with their customers. They provide 24/7 support and can handle multiple customer queries at once, leading to faster response times and increased customer satisfaction.

AI-powered chatbots also have the ability to learn from previous interactions and adapt accordingly. This means that they become more efficient over time, reducing the workload for human agents and allowing them to focus on more complex tasks that require a personal touch.

Furthermore, AI technology is constantly evolving, meaning that there are always new ways in which it can be used to improve customer service. From personalized product recommendations based on browsing history to using facial recognition software for seamless checkout experiences, the possibilities are endless. As such, we can expect to see an even greater role for AI in Ecommerce customer service in the future.

Author: Ali Ahmad

Source: Datafloq