How bots differ from chatbots Explainer

2 min read

"Bot" and "chatbot" get used for the same thing, but they aren't quite the same. Here's the difference, and why it matters when you build one.

A chatbot talks

A chatbot is built for conversation. You type, it types back. The classic examples are the help widgets on websites that answer common questions. Some follow fixed scripts and keywords; newer ones use a language model to write more natural answers. Either way, the main output is a reply.

A bot acts

"Bot" is the wider word: any program that does a task automatically. Plenty of bots never chat at all, such as one that copies new orders into a spreadsheet every hour or emails you when stock runs low. They are started by a schedule or an event, not a conversation.

An AI assistant bot does both

An AI assistant bot combines the two: you talk to it like a chatbot, and it acts like a bot, using connected apps to get real work done.

Side by side

• Starts when: a chatbot starts when someone writes to it. A task bot starts on a schedule or event. An assistant bot does either.
• Main output: a chatbot gives an answer. A task bot changes something, like a file, a record or a message. An assistant bot gives both.
• Needs access to your apps: a chatbot usually doesn't. Task bots and assistant bots do.
• Main risk: a chatbot can give a wrong answer. A bot that acts can take a wrong action, which is why approvals matter.

Why it matters

Once a bot can act, mistakes cost more than a bad sentence. That's why good bots draft first, ask before sending or spending, and keep a log. See Staying safe with AI bots.