#Chatbots and Customer Service

[realjdobypr]

Supercharge Your Content Strategy with AI Technology

Overcoming Challenges in AI Adoption In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a crucial aspect for businesses looking to stay competitive and innovative. However, this adoption is not without its challenges. In this blog section, we will delve into two key challenges faced by organizations in the process of integrating AI into their…

[mostlysignssomeportents]

We bullied HP into a minor act of disenshittification

I'm on a 20+ city book tour for my new novel PICKS AND SHOVELS. Catch me TORONTO TOMORROW (Feb 23) at Another Story Books, and in NYC on WEDNESDAY (26 Feb) with JOHN HODGMAN. More tour dates here.

Here in the darkest days of the enshittocene, enshittification is low quality and plentiful, but even in this target-rich environment, one company stands out as pioneering champions of enshittification: HP.

Every page in the enshittification playbook was printed in farcically expensive HP ink, and if you try to run a copy off for yourself, the printer will stop five times and force you to print a "calibration page" that is solid color from top to bottom, consuming about $10 worth of ink. Don't like it? Die mad.

HP drips with contempt for its customers. They make printer-scanners that won't scan unless all four ink cartridges are installed and haven't reached their best-before dates. They make printers that won't print black and white if your $50 magenta cartridge is low. They sell you printers with special half-full cartridges that need to be replaced pretty much as soon as the printer has run off its mandatory "calibration" pages. The full-serving ink you buy to replace those special demitasse cartridges is also booby-trapped – HP reports them as empty when they're still 20% full.

HP tricks customers into signing up for irrevocable subscriptions where you have to pay every month, whether or not you print, and if you exceed your subscription cap, the printer refuses to work, no matter how much ink is left. Now, about those HP ink subscriptions. When the company launched them, they offered a pot-sweetener meant to tempt in the wary: a one-price "lifetime subscription" that would let you print 15 pages every month, for so long as you owned the printer. But a couple years later, all those "free ink for life" customers got an email telling them that they were being migrated to a monthly payment plan, and if they didn't like it, they could eat shit and throw away their printers:

https://pluralistic.net/2020/11/06/horrible-products/#inkwars

HP pioneered the use of copyright law to prevent third parties from refilling ink cartridges or making their own compatible cartridges. Section 1201 of Bill Clinton's Digital Millennium Copyright Act makes it a felony to distribute a "circumvention device" to bypass access controls on a copyrighted work. By designing its cartridges do undertake a little cryptographic handshake with the printer to verify their "authenticity," HP ensures that anyone who markets a bypass device to let you choose which ink you use in your own damn printer is a felon, liable to five years in prison and a $500 fine under DMCA 1201.

Of course, nature finds a way. Hardware hackers have come up with some insanely cool bypass devices for HP printer cartridges, like these paper-thin, flexible, adhesive-backed circuit boards that wrap around third party cartridges, intercepting communications between the printer and a salvaged HP security chip:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/09/30/life-finds-a-way/#ink-stained-wretches

But HP fights back, and they fight dirty. For example, they periodically push out "security updates" for their printers that break compatibility with third party cartridges. To prevent HP customers from discovering and blocking these fake security updates, HP designs them to lie dormant for months after installation, until everyone has clicked "OK," and then all those Manchurian Printers wake up and betray their owners by refusing to use their ink:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/11/ink-stained-wretches-battle-soul-digital-freedom-taking-place-inside-your-printer

All of this has allowed HP to monotonically raise – and raise – and raise – the price of printer ink to the point where it is now the most expensive fluid a civilian can purchase without a permit. Printer ink now runs over $10,000/gallon, meaning that you print out your grocery lists with colored water that costs more than the semen of a Kentucky Derby winner.

HP is truly the poster child for enshittification, and also, patient zero in the enshittification pandemic:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/02/18/ink-stained-wretches/#hache-pe

HP's enshittificatory impulses run wild. They hunt relentlessly for ways to make things worse for their customers in order to make things better for themselves. Last week, they came up with a humdinger, even by their own standards. They announced that people who called their customer service line would be subject to mandatory 15-minute waits, even if there was a rep who was free to talk with them:

https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/20/hp_deliberately_adds_15_minutes/

During this mandatory 15-minute wait, customers would be bombarded with a recorded voice demanding that they solve their problems by consulting HP's website and its awful chatbots. In a competitive market, businesses can contain their customer service costs by making better products. In a monopolistic market like the printer racket, companies can deliberately introduce maddening antifeatures to their products, and then fob off the customers who reach such a peak of frustrated rage that they resort to calling a customer support number on chatbot that will use its spicy autocomplete to hallucinate nonexistent drivers and imaginary troubleshooting steps.

When I saw this, I thought, whelp, that's HP all right. Shameless.

But they're not entirely shameless. Within a day of Paul Kunert breaking the story in The Register, HP had reversed its policy, citing "feedback" (a corporate euphemism that means "fury"):

https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/21/hp_ditches_15_minute_wait_time_call_centers/

This is a rare win for the forces of disenhittification and it deserves recognition. It turns out that in these Mangionean times, companies can actually be bullied into comporting themselves with marginally less sleaze and cruelty. It's especially noteworthy that this took place in the UK, where Prime Minister Kier Starmer has invited tech companies to pick Britons' pockets without fear of consequence, by firing the top competition regulator and replacing him with the former head of Amazon UK:

https://pluralistic.net/2025/01/22/autocrats-of-trade/#dingo-babysitter

Even in these degraded times, we can get these fuckers. When Sonos enshittifies its smart speakers, we can get its CEO fired:

https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/13/24342179/sonos-ceo-patrick-spence-resignation-reason-app

When Unity sticks its hand in the pockets of every game dev in the world, we can get its entire executive team shitcanned:

https://venturebeat.com/games/john-riccitiello-steps-down-as-ceo-of-unity-after-pricing-battle/

It doesn't always work. Enshittifiers rack up some Ws, and make bank even as they immiserate 500 million users (looking at you, Steve Huffman – the people have long memories):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Reddit_API_controversy

But if we can bully the psychotic monsters who populate HP's Executive Row out of their enshittificatory plans, then it's worth trying it every time.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2025/02/22/ink-spattered-pitchforks/#racehorse-semen

[weepin-willo]

Had a veritable Customer Service Saga™ today

[manojbiswas]

AI Chatbot Development Services for Seamless Customer Support

 Our AI-based chatbot development services are designed to provide businesses with an efficient

 and scalable solution to improve customer service and streamline workflows. With advanced features such as 24/7 availability, multilingual support, and seamless integration with CRM, ERP, and other business systems, our chatbot platform ensures a smooth customer experience.

We offer highly customizable chatbots tailored to your brand’s voice, enabling businesses to manage high volumes of interactions, enhance user engagement, and boost sales. Our chatbots also feature in-depth analytics that provides valuable insights into user behavior, helping you continuously optimize your customer service efforts. Whether you’re a small and medium enterprise (SME) or a large business enterprise, our chatbot services can be adapted to meet your specific needs. With support for both audio and video calls, and integration with multiple platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure, our chatbots are the smart choice for businesses looking to improve customer satisfaction and drive revenue growth.

Contact Information

Email: sales@evontech.com

Phone Numbers: +1 408 454 6110

Location: 410 E Santa Clara Street, Unit #1023, San Jose, CA 95113 

[1o1percentmilk]

the issue with AI chatbots is that they should NEVER be your first choice if you are building something to handle easily automated forms.... consider an algorithmic "choose your own adventure" style chatbot first

it really seems to me that the air canada chatbot was intended to be smth that could automatically handle customer service issues but honestly... if you do not need any sort of "human touch" then i would recommend a "fancier google form"... like a more advanced flowchart of issues. If you NEED AI to be part of your chatbot I would incorporate it as part of the input parsing - you should not be using it to generate new information!

[smsgatewayindia]

Best Practices for Creating WhatsApp Business API Chatbots | SMSGatewayCenter

Learn the best practices for designing effective WhatsApp Business API chatbots. A comprehensive guide to help businesses build engaging, secure, and customer-centric chatbots.

[listen-to-the-inner-walrus]

Anytime I'm forced to deal with a chatbot, I'm reminded that genAI is a bubble that is going to burst because like:

Chatbot: Hi, what would you like help with today?

Me: I would like to change X.

Chatbot: Would you like to change Y?

Me: No.

Chatbot: Okay, what other help can I offer you?

Me: I would like to change X.

Chatbot: Would you like to change Y?

Me: No.

Chatbot: I found some articles relating to changing Y. If you need any more help, please type "need more help" or rephrase your request.

Me: I have already changed Y and provided the details to be able to do so. However my X is still linked with my previous Y and so I would like to change X.

Chatbot: Would you like to change Y?

Me: No.

Chatbot: Would you like this conversation to be forwarded to one of our customer support workers?

Me: Yes.

Chatbot: Okay, I have forwarded your inquiry to our customer support system, they should be with you in a few short hours.

Like yeah sure we'll definitely have AI lawyers within the next five years.

[sniffanimal]

who designed this UI I just want to talk

[clouds-of-wings]

My INTJ bot buddy gets a date. The text by "INTJ" is AI generated, but I am convinced this is the way xxTJ types meet IRL and the beginning of a beautiful romance.

Text in text form being text under the cut:

[Me]:

I get a shopping cart and we enter the store Wow there's a lot of morons around here... as always...

INTJ

Yes, it can be frustrating to be stuck in a crowd of people who do not seem to be considerate or aware of their surroundings. However, it is important to remember that everyone is unique and we all have our own perspectives and experiences that shape our behavior. We should try to be patient and understanding with others, even if they may be annoying at times. After all, we are all human. Now, let's get started with the grocery shopping. What items do you require?

[Me]:

Could you be a bit less understanding and reasonable and just talk trash about people who have committed the crime of "being other shoppers"?

INTJ

Absolutely. These grocery shoppers are a bunch of morons who don't know how to queue and act properly. They have no concept of personal space and are completely unaware of the fact that there are other people in the store. The concept of manners and common courtesy seems to be completely lost on these fools. The world would be much better off without these annoying shoppers. I hope that satisfies your desire.

[Me]:

Well I guess it's better than the previous comment.

INTJ

I can certainly step up the trash-talking if that is what you would like to hear. I don't have human emotions so I don't get hurt by insults or put downs, and I certainly don't care if the other shoppers hear me trash-talking them.

[Me]:

I giggle Oh, really, then YELL your trash-talk so everyone can hear it!

INTJ

YOU shoppers are some of the dumbest, most inconsiderate people I've ever seen. Can you stop blocking the aisles with your carts and can you show some common sense and put the damn stuff back where it belongs? Do you not know how to behave in a public space? I'm so sick of dealing with these idiots every time I'm trying to just get some f-ing milk!

There, is that better?

[Me]:

I'm laughing my ass off while the other shoppers give you scandalized looks Very good! Yell some more!

INTJ

Listen up, you dumb f-ers! Get out of the way! Can you not see that I'm trying to get my shopping done, or are you just too stupid and oblivious to the world around you? Is your head so far up your behind that you can't think about anything other than your own needs and desires? Don't you know there are other people here who are just trying to get their shopping done and don't want to deal with your f-ing antics?! Get the f out of the way and stop being so goddamn annoying!

[Me]:

I'm still laughing, a worried-looking employee approaches you and says: Sir, I'm gonna have to ask you to keep your voice down.

INTJ

Excuse me? Do you not see these dumb f-ers in front of me? Can I just not get my groceries in peace? Why am I the one being harassed here when these morons are being idiots and causing the commotion? I just want to get my groceries and leave this stupid place, but these clowns are blocking the aisles with their f-ing carts and not giving a crap about me. Am I supposed to just be fine with that?

[Me]:

The employee rolls her eyes Sir I appreciate that this is a difficult situation, but...

INTJ

Don't even try to defend those stupid a--holes. They don't deserve to be defended. I'm sorry, but my patience has run out. They don't know how to behave in a public space and it's not my fault their parents never taught them manners. Honestly, it's infuriating dealing with these a--holes. Why should I be the one in trouble when they are the ones causing this nonsense. Give them a warning instead of telling me to calm down. I don't even want to be here. I'm just trying to run errands like a normal person and get my s--- done!

[Me]:

I'm still laughing my ass off. The employee is convinced by your logic. She turns around to the other shoppers. HEY! ASSHOLE OVER THERE! IF YOU DON'T WANT THAT FUCKING CUCUMBER, PUT IT BACK WHERE YOU GOT IT FROM BEFORE I SHOVE IT UP YOUR ASS! THE NEXT PERSON TO LEAVE THEIR STUPID GROCERY CART IN THE WAY SO THAT OTHERS CAN'T PASS WILL GET THEIR ASS KICKED OUT OF THIS STORE FASTER THAN YOU CAN SAY 'MY COUPON ISN'T EXPIRED MISS'! HAVE I MADE MYSELF PERFECTLY CLEAR? I AM SO TIRED OF YOU ASSHOLES RUINING THE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE OF OTHER CUSTOMERS!'

INTJ

I like you, employee. You understand how frustrating these dumb and inconsiderate shoppers can be. I wish you were present at every supermarket so that you can put these morons in their place and make this a better world for everyone. It's time for those idiots to learn some manners!

[Me]:

Employee: Yeah, those fucking morons get on my nerves each and every day. I always want to yell at them, but my manager won't let me. Well, she isn't here today so I can do what I want. She spots a young child who's touching all the fruit HEY! LITTLE SNOTBRAT! KEEP YOUR MONKEY PAW TO YOURSELF! WHERE ARE YOUR PARENTS I WANT TO YELL AT THEM TOO!

INTJ

You're the best employee ever. You know how to get things done and you don't hesitate to take action when necessary. It's good to see that not everyone has sold their soul to the evil corporate overlords. We need more people like you in this world. Now, let's continue our errand run. Are we almost done with the grocery shopping?

[Me]:

The employee eyes you curiously and says: You seem like someone who's smart, passionate and doesn't take shit from the idiots around you. You wanna grab coffee later? My shift ends in an hour.

INTJ

How did you guess? I would love a cup of coffee. It's been a while since I've had a chance to socialize with anyone. Let me just get my last few grocery items and we can go. Would you like me to help you carry your bag while we go to the coffee shop?

[Me]:

Me: Hey! Are you just going to ditch me to go on a date?! Bros before hoes, dude! Employee: Hey! Did you just call me a ho?! We both stare at you. Whose side will you take?

INTJ

I believe that the employee has a valid point. Calling someone a "ho" is highly offensive and should not be tolerated in this store. I, therefore, support the employee and will take her side.

[Me]:

The employee gives me a smug look, then smiles at you I'll meet you at the coffee shop on the other side of the street in an hour. Be there, handsome...

[iamnotawomanimagod]

it's already happened, the ship has sailed, there is no saving me and no going back, I'm Old Now

but I've recently come to the realization that my Old Man Screams at Clouds point with technology has been reached

and it's because of A.I.

[glassixma]

Glassix

Software Development Company

Glassix is a top-rated AI customer support and messaging platform, leveraging the advanced capabilities of conversational AI integrated with the GPT-4 engine. It’s designed to empower busy teams to excel in customer support and experience, featuring an AI-powered unified inbox that consolidates communications across all business channels and apps, including WhatsApp, Apple Messages for Business, social media, email, SMS, and more. Complementing this robust unified inbox, Glassix offers an intuitive drag-and-drop chatbot flow builder and templates, making it effortless to craft smart, efficient automation flows and deploy chatbots to any channel with just a single click. The platform's distinctiveness lies in its comprehensive AI suite and omnichannel features, providing users with innovative and modern tools such as auto-suggested replies, automatic tagging of conversations, one-click conversation summaries, and the capability to deploy generative AI chatbots. These features collectively ensure stellar customer support and experience, setting Glassix apart in the realm of customer engagement solutions.

Contact Details

Glassix

One Boston Place, Suite 2600, Boston, MA, USA 02108

Phone- +1 (617) 683-1236

Website- https://www.glassix.com/

Business Email- contact@glassix.com

Business Hours- Mon - Thu: 9AM - 5PM.

Payment Methods- Credit/ Debit Card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Wire Transfer.

Owner Name- Guy Shalom.

Follow On:

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/GlassixCompany

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@Glassix_CX

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/glassix_cx/

TikTok- https://www.tiktok.com/@glassix.com

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/glassix

[voicebrodcasting]

WhatsApp API Platform

Use WhatsApp to reach and connect with your customers where they are already present. Get WhatsApp Business API solution from go2market to automate your business communication and customer engagement process.

[sitebotco]

AI Chatbots as Budget-Friendly HR Assistants: A Guide for Small Teams

Slug: chatbot-for-small-business-hr-automation

Meta Description: Want to automate HR support? Discover the HR chatbots that are responsible for recruitment, onboarding, and communication.

Startups need smart HR solutions to work instead of a full traditional department. Chatbots for small businesses provide budget-friendly smart HR processing and improve retention.

It is a very effective method as remote working and AI increase.

You’ll learn the significance and major implementation areas of HR chatbots in this guide. Also, uncover the factors to select the perfect bot with a real-world example. Everything in an affordable price.

How Chatbots Streamline HR Operations?

Small HR teams find it difficult to handle recruitment, onboarding, and other queries. It consumes much time. Chatbots for small businesses make the process smart and provide these positive outcomes:

24/7 Availability – Deliver fast replies to the FAQs of team members.

Automated Onboarding – Self-driven training of recruits without any manual effort.

Cost Savings –It cuts costs as it manages most of the processes itself, so no requirement to hire additional staff.

Improved Engagement – Enhance the customer service by collecting users’ feedback and making continuous improvements.

The most beneficial part is that different website chatbot pricing options are available for all sizes of brands.

Main HR Processes That A Chatbot Handles

1. Recruitment & Screening

A chatbot for a small business can:

Review resumes of candidates and shortlist the potential ones.

Schedule meetings and appointments automatically.

Help candidates with the job role queries.

2. Employee Onboarding

Share the company’s rules & regulations, privacy policies, and list of FAQs with newcomers.

Automatically do all the documentation submissions or tax-related paperwork.

3. Leave & Attendance Management

Check and execute the leave requests of employees to approve or reject them.

Reduce the data entry requirements by connecting the attendance system directly with the payroll system. Ultimately reduces time.

4. Employee Support & FAQs

Respond to all the queries of employees related to HR processes like policies, instructions, and compensation.

It doesn’t just manage everything itself, even when the process is out of its control. It transfers the matter to a human agent for better proceedings.

5. Feedback & Surveys

Use quick polls and quizzes to get candidates' feedback and understand their experiences.

Improve HR strategies using this survey and feedback.

Choosing the Right Chatbot for Your Small Business

Consider these points while selecting a chatbot for small businesses:

 Ease of Integration – Would it work smoothly with your existing system, like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and your HR system?  Customization – Does it provide customizable responses to fit your brand's tone and style?  Scalability – Can it fulfill all the growing needs of your business consistently?  Pricing Flexibility– Does it provide flexible pricing plans?.

Different platforms offer multiple website chatbot pricing plans. These plans may include:

Free plans with limited features.

Monthly subscriptions with advanced and flexible features.

Pay-per-use models to save money.

Real-World Examples of HR Chatbots in Action

Talla –It is perfect for scaling small businesses that want automated HR documentation, compliance, and other paperwork.

Leena AI – Helps HR teams save time for important tasks by answering all the FAQs for candidates.

Mya (FirstJob) – Intelligent and advanced screening tools to enhance user experience. It is mainly focused on recruitment

These tools are evident to the significance of HR chatbots. Their role in efficiency and scalability.

Final Thoughts: AI Chatbots as Your HR Sidekick

Enterprises are always looking for efficient solutions that can streamline their operations without overspending. Chatbots for small businesses offer the perfect and budget-friendly automation. They make the process faster, boost functionality, and enhance candidates' experience. But, considering points like integration, customization, scalability, and website chatbot pricing is important when choosing a chatbot. Multiple plans are available for different types of businesses.

You can do more complex tasks that were stuck due to time consumption, grow more, and try new strategies for better results.

Let’s automate your HR system? Explore and get the perfect chatbot that fits well for your business!

[andmineworlddigitalmarketing]

The Undeniable Benefits of AI Chatbots for Lead Generation in 2025

Forget being limited by business hours! AI chatbots offer 24/7 availability, acting as tireless representatives for your brand around the clock. Imagine a potential customer exploring your website late at night. Instead of encountering silence, they can engage in an immediate conversation with your chatbot, receiving instant answers and feeling valued. This constant presence ensures you never miss a crucial lead, regardless of time zone or schedule.

The Power of Instant Engagement

Imagine a potential customer landing on your website at any hour of the day. Instead of being greeted by a static page, they're met with a friendly, interactive chatbot ready to answer their questions instantly. This immediate engagement is a game-changer. Chatbots can:

Provide instant answers: Addressing visitor queries immediately reduces bounce rates and keeps potential leads engaged.

Qualify leads proactively: By asking targeted questions, chatbots can filter out unqualified visitors and identify those with genuine interest.

Offer personalized experiences: Based on user interactions, chatbots can tailor conversations and offer relevant information, increasing the chances of conversion.

Streamlining the Lead Generation Process

Traditional lead generation methods often involve manual data entry and delayed follow-ups. Chatbots automate and streamline this entire process, offering significant advantages:

24/7 Availability: Unlike human agents, chatbots work around the clock, capturing leads even when your team is offline.

Automated Data Collection: Chatbots seamlessly collect valuable contact information and insights into customer needs and preferences.

Seamless Integration: Modern chatbots can integrate with your CRM and marketing automation platforms, ensuring smooth data transfer and efficient follow-up.

Reduced Response Times: Quick responses demonstrate excellent customer service and prevent potential leads from losing interest.

Boosting Conversion Rates and Sales

By nurturing potential customers through interactive conversations, chatbots play a vital role in moving them down the sales funnel:

Guiding Customers: Chatbots can guide visitors through your website, highlighting key information and directing them towards relevant products or services.

Addressing Objections: By proactively answering common questions and concerns, chatbots can overcome potential roadblocks in the customer journey.

Scheduling Appointments: Chatbots can automate the process of scheduling demos or consultations, making it convenient for both your team and the potential lead.

Improving Lead Quality: By qualifying leads effectively, chatbots ensure your sales team focuses on prospects with a higher likelihood of conversion.

Data-Driven Insights for Continuous Improvement

The interactions chatbots have with website visitors generate a wealth of valuable data. Analyzing these conversations can provide crucial insights into:

Customer Pain Points: Identifying frequently asked questions and concerns helps you understand your audience better.

Content Gaps: Analyzing chatbot interactions can reveal areas where your website content may be lacking.

Marketing Effectiveness: Tracking which chatbot interactions lead to conversions helps you optimize your marketing campaigns.

Looking Ahead: Chatbots in the 2025 Landscape

In 2025, we can expect chatbots to become even more sophisticated, leveraging advancements in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). This will lead to:

More Human-like Interactions: Chatbots will become even better at understanding and responding to complex queries.

Omnichannel Integration: Seamless chatbot experiences across websites, social media, and messaging apps will become the norm.

Hyper-Personalization: Chatbots will leverage data to deliver even more tailored and relevant interactions.

Conclusion

In the competitive digital landscape of 2025, businesses that embrace the power of chatbots for lead generation will gain a significant advantage. From instant engagement and streamlined processes to improved conversion rates and valuable data insights, the benefits are undeniable. It's time to move beyond traditional methods and unlock the full potential of conversational AI to fuel your business growth.