A chatbot is an artificial intelligence (AI) application that is designed to simulate human conversation through text-based messaging, voice commands, or both. Chatbots use natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms to understand and interpret user input, and then generate appropriate responses.

Chatbots can be used for a variety of applications, such as customer service, sales, marketing, and personal assistance. They can be integrated into messaging platforms, websites, and mobile apps, allowing users to interact with them in a seamless and efficient manner.

There are two main types of chatbots: rule-based and AI-powered. Rule-based chatbots follow a predetermined set of rules and can only respond to specific commands or keywords. AI-powered chatbots, on the other hand, use machine learning algorithms to learn from user interactions and improve their responses over time.

Chatbots are becoming increasingly popular in a wide range of industries, as they offer a cost-effective and scalable solution for customer engagement and support. They can help businesses save time and resources, while also improving customer satisfaction and loyalty.