14 New Chatbot Ideas and Their Innovative Uses

Chatbots and virtual assistants have come a long way from where they were. In the past, the basic chatbots many unfortunately lack conversation and comprehension skills. Over the years, chatbots have developed with the help of extensive artificial intelligence. Nowadays, there are advanced chatbot software with task-oriented functionality. These chatbots have proven very successful in a number of fields.

The following list contains fourteen new chatbot ideas for entrepreneurs, businesses, and online brands:

Idea #1: Chatbot Survey

This is an innovative and new chatbot idea, suitable for when you want to ask questions, get information, and collect data. A customer or general survey is often static and very plain. Unless one is very motivated to complete it, some surveys go unfinished. A chatbot increases engagement and adds a sense of fun to a survey, keeping the user engaged and giving answers.

Idea #2: Customer Service Chatbots

The #1 use of AI chatbots is, by far, customer service. Implemented on websites, Facebook, WhatsApp, and SMS, a chatbot can answer questions, deliver account information, and connect a user with an agent if/when they need it. Let’s face it, very few of us – if anyone – wants to wait on the phone to speak with someone in customer service. We just want resolution. A customer service chatbot has the potential to deliver that in a fast, more convenient way.

Idea #3: Analytics Opportunity-Finder

Analytics for websites and businesses come in many formats. Social media analytics, website analytics, revenue analytics, expense reports, financial reports, etc. A chatbot can point to opportunities that may exist and patterns, positive and negative, to capitalize on.

Idea #4: Skills Training Chatbots

An employee who is upgrading their skills or someone invested in an online course to gain a diploma or certification can benefit from a chatbot guiding them along. In this context, a chatbot’s also capable of updating internal databases of who has completed their skills training and who hasn’t, and can relay feedback from the course user to the course administrator.

Idea #5: eCommerce Chatbots

eCommerce chatbots are relatively new chatbot ideas that grew in popularity in recent years. A certain percentage of eCommerce shoppers fill their cart and will unfortunately leave your website. A chatbot can help by answering questions, providing recommendations, and connecting a user with a sales agent if or when they need it.

Idea #6: Resume Collection and Pre-Interview

A chatbot can be used to collect data on a potential job candidate, not only collecting their resume but conducting a pre-interview. A chatbot like this can help organize and manage candidate information, while giving said candidate the opportunity to sell themselves in a conversational tone as opposed to the more formal resume format.

Idea #7: Healthcare Patient Portals

More and more, we are seeing healthcare services move online and/or to digital platforms. Chatbots can be used to deliver appointment reminders, advertise relevant classes or programs offered through one’s provider, or make recommendations based off a person’s existing healthcare status.

Idea #8: Voice-Enabled Chatbots

Chatbots don’t have to necessarily come in text. They can be voice-enabled as well. The rise in voice search and voice assistants has meant the potential to adapt chatbots to this new consumer format.

Idea #9: Product-Integrated Chatbots

Integrating chatbots into select products can provide an intuitive way to assist users. Certain vehicle brands are using chatbots and AI programs inside vehicles to maintain positive habits, connect with digital services, and even keep vehicle maintenance up to snuff. Product-integrated chatbots can come in any form though. A computer, a smartphone, any mobile device, and more.

Idea #10: Mental Health Chatbots

We often talk about chatbots in terms of commercial reward and customer service. A mental health chatbot works a little differently. A chatbot in this context checks in occasionally, reminds a user of their mental health activity schedule, and can be programmed to keep a user committed, focused, and feeling healthy.

Idea #11: Travel Arrangements

The hospitality industry has taken a major hit from the COVID-19 pandemic, however, as it rebounds, chatbots offer a cost-cutting and convenient way to continue delivering service at lower price points. Chatbots can book hotels, planes, trips, scan flights, and more. A customer doesn’t need to speak with an agent unless absolutely necessary. This can be as simple as arranging travel by text, social media, or communication apps like WhatsApp.

Idea #12: Academic Chatbots

Academics is another sector where chatbots can make a difference. University and college students signing into a portal greeted by a chatbot can remind them of assignment deadlines and important academic dates coming up. It can also coordinate them to assistance programs and/or resources to aid them in completing their courses.

Idea #13: Financial Advice

Chatbots are already used in the financial services industry, including in banking and by credit agencies. A chatbot can conduct a financial analysis of one’s information and recommend products a la credit cards, savings account, and more. A chatbot can also make suggestions, share relevant opportunities that may exist to maximize one’s money, and help give a user accountability over their financial decisions.

Idea #14: Home Security Systems

Home security, alarm monitoring, and smart home security accessories have the potential to employ chatbots for notifications on security status. If there’s ever a break-in or unauthorized access is found, a chatbot can notify a user by text simultaneously while contacting relevant emergency services.