Facebook opened its Messenger service for users six months ago to build virtual assistants to chat to users , and since that , 33,000 chatbots have been created . The technology is virtually indistinguishable at first glance from a Facebook friend or acquaintance . Facebook launched a bankbot called Kai last month that uses Facebook Messenger to allow users to check accounts on their accounts and set up financial management tools . Further capabilities for bots are likely in future , with companies predicting that Facebook , chatbots and messaging services will at one point converge .
Facebook opened its Messenger service for businesses six months ago to build virtual assistants to chat to users, and since that point 33,000 chatbots have been created. The technology is virtually indistinguishable at first glance from a Facebook friend or contact. Mastercard launched a bankbot called Kai last month that uses Facebook Messenger to allow users to check activity on their accounts and set up financial management tools. Further capabilities for bots are likely in future, with companies predicting that AI, chatbots and messaging services will at one point converge.