Chatbots stories
Businesses can now build AI agents without specialist developers, as 8x8 rolls out early access to its Studio on the customer experience platform.
Travellers increasingly using conversational search could redirect hotel bookings away from metasearch and OTAs as AI tools surface live rates.
The new system aims to help businesses turn stalled generative AI pilots into measurable returns by unifying customer data and oversight.
AI agents and service accounts are exposing Australian and New Zealand firms to regulatory, financial and reputational risk as controls lag.
Developers could cut the complexity of running autonomous software as the new tools aim to make long-lived AI agents cheaper and easier to manage.
The hire signals a sharper push into overseas growth as the AI customer service software group deepens partnerships in the US and beyond.
The hotel group expects the new system to unify guest data and privacy controls across 640 properties, with full rollout due in 2026.
Direct use is boosting trust in conversational AI, with 82% of active users reporting measurable value and many still wary of deployment costs.
Businesses are beginning to use Qlik's agentic analytics in live workflows, with healthcare, sport and manufacturing deployments now in production.
Businesses risk wasting AI budgets on polite interfaces when the bigger gains come from linking systems, data and workflows directly.
The new Gartner category highlights demand for unified office software as employers seek to cut friction across hybrid work, visitor and desk management.
The deal could cut admin and speed up decisions for more than one million businesses across Australia and New Zealand.
Workers using AI agents at work now have a vendor-neutral course to help them spot risks, manage oversight and distinguish them from chatbots.
As generative tools displace search, the partnership will test how AI datasets are priced and how platforms can balance advertising with subscriptions.
Travellers could soon book rooms inside chatbots as SiteMinder taps AI assistants to drive live hotel rates and reservations.
Quick answers are winning out over professional fees, with 26% of UK sole traders now using AI for Making Tax Digital guidance as rules tighten.
Singapore’s digital economy faces rising pressure as attacks climbed 22% in March, far outpacing a 5% global decline.
Only 10% of customers rate service as great, as fragmented systems and poor empathy are driving churn and frustration.
Smaller firms are using artificial intelligence to cut admin time, with data analysis and scheduling topping the list of practical tasks.
Irish consumers are losing 284 million hours a year to poor service, as weak systems and low empathy leave firms at risk of defections.
