Chatbots have been around for longer than you can imagine. Although it has gained immense popularity now with ChatGPT, Siri, and Google Assistant, chatbots have been in use for much much longer. This change happened because of the increasing popularity of messaging apps and developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Let’s check out how the chatbots we know today evolved from a simple model developed by an MIT professor in the 1960s.
Top 10 oldest AI chatbots
When we think of chatbots now, our mind automatically goes to Siri and ChatGPT. But before these extremely popular platforms came into being, there were other chatbots that were used among businesses and professionals to transmit messages across.
The main reason why chatbots became popular in this modern age is because of the developments in machine learning and the ever-increasing popularity of messaging apps. Let’s check out the evolution of chatbots through the ages!
10. Microsoft Copilot
Introduced in: 2023
Developed By: Microsoft
Photo Source: Microsoft
Microsoft Copilot is perhaps the latest AI chatbot to enter the game in 2023. It is an intelligent assistant developed by Microsoft to increase productivity of employees.
It is simple to use and can be integrated with other Microsoft applications like Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook within Microsoft 265. It has also been integrated into Bing.
By simply saying, “Copilot, summarise this document” or “Copilot, analyse this data”, the chatbot instantly assists you in your needs with its advanced machine learning and AI capabilities.
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9. Google Gemini
Introduced in: 2023
Developed By: Google
Photo Source: Trusted Reviews
Google Bard, as it was previously known, is an innovative AI language model that was also developed in 2023. It is a relatively new model, but it pushes the boundaries when it comes to machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Google Gemini can answer your questions, write creative texts, engage in conversations, and even translate in real-time. This makes it so easy and intuitive to use that it doesn’t matter whether you’re using it for professional or personal use – it’s for everyone!
8. ChatGPT
Introduced in: 2021
Developed By: OpenAI
Photo Source: Pixabay
ChatGPT is OpenAI’s large language model founded and trained in 2021. It gives users human-like texts based on the queries that are inputted into the search bar.
It can be used for a variety of tasks, from conversation generation to language translation. In fact, the data used by ChatGPT is so vast that it is often difficult to distinguish it from actual human writing. Many have praised the creators’ efforts to make an AI chatbot that so closely mimics the human tone.
7. Alexa
Introduced in: 2014
Developed By: Amazon
Photo Source: Pixabay
Alexa was designed by Amazon to be your “intelligent personal assistant”. Introduced in 2014, it is now built into Amazon Echo, the Echo Show, Echo Dot, etc., where you can command it to do simple tasks for you with just the sound of your voice.
You can even develop and personalise your Alexa’s skills based on your personal use case. Amazon allows developers to build and publish skills using the Alexa Skills Kit (ASK), which is free with the Alexa app.
6. Cortana
Introduced in: 2014
Developed By: Microsoft
Photo Source: Windows
Following its debut at Microsoft’s Build 2014 developer conference, Cortana was immediately incorporated into Windows 10 PCs and Windows phone devices. This software interprets voice commands and responds to them using speech recognition and pertinent algorithms.
To begin, a user needs to type a query into the search bar or choose to speak with Cortana by clicking the microphone icon. When someone clicks the taskbar search box, they can get Cortana Home and the lock screen suggestions if they’re not sure what to say.
In addition to sending emails and texts, managing lists, playing games, chit-chatting, and setting up reminders depending on time, location, or person, Cortana can also locate files, facts, and other information.
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5. Google Now/Google Assistant
Introduced in: 2012
Developed By: Google
Photo Source: Pixabay
In 2012, Google Inch hosted the debut of Google Now. It provides recommendations, responds to queries, and takes actions by submitting requests to a collection of web services.
It was a component of a mobile search update and user interface upgrade bundle that also included a female voiced portable assistant to rival Apple’s Siri. It can be referred to as predictive search at times.
It is currently designed to work with smartphones and has been enhanced to support many functions. Google Assistant took the role of Google Now in 2017.
4. Siri
Introduced in: 2010
Developed By: Apple
Photo Source: Pixabay
Apple created Siri, an intelligent personal assistant and learning navigator with a natural language user interface, for iOS in 2010. That cleared the way for all subsequent AI bots and PAs.
Apple’s patent proposes a Siri that may carry out current tasks without the user needing to communicate vocally, much like other messaging and Facebook Messenger services. This is useful in a number of public contexts.
When the user sends a text, music, image, or video to it, they may respond to it. Apple claimed that as a result, interactions between a user and a digital assistant will be more fruitful.
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3. SmarterChild
Introduced in: 2001
Developed By: ActiveBuddy, Inc
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons
Developed in 2001, the SmartChild was in many respects the forerunner to Siri. The chatbot, which could hold lively discussions and provide speedy data access to various services, was accessible on AOL Instant Messenger and MSN Messenger.
Years after AIM’s popularity declined, Microsoft created its own SmarterChild account, designed specifically for American youth aged 18 to 24. It facilitates specific types of conversations.
2. A.L.I.C.E.
Introduced in: 1995
Developed By: Richard Wallace
Photo Source: news.bbc.co.uk
A.L.I.C.E. stands for Artificial Linguistic Internet Computer Entity. It is a universal language processing chatbot that helps to carry out conversations. It uses a heuristic pattern to engage in conversations with the user.
This was one of the first chatbots to come into play and was developed in 1995 by Richard Wallace. It was first called Alicebot because it was run on a computer that was named Alice.
As the years went on and developments in machine learning grew, ALICE also developed her abilities. Now, she speaks like a real human over the internet, with the persona of a young woman.
1. Dr. Sbaitso
Introduced in: 1992
Developed By: Creative Labs
Photo Source: Medium
Dr. Sbaisto is the oldest AI chatbot! Creative Labs developed Dr. Sbaitso for MS-Dos in 1992. It is perhaps one of the first chatbots to incorporate AI into its system and even has a full voice operated chat program.
It is a simple chatbot that functions more like a psychologist. It does not engage in very complicated conversations, but replies to most queries and engagements with “Why do you feel that way?”
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Conclusion
Now that we’ve taken a look at the evolution of AI chatbots, we can see that the possibilities of this function are endless. With the advent of machine learning and the rapid pace of artificial intelligence, the functions of a chatbot veer towards the infinity.
From a simple command asking you why you’re feeling a certain way to even handling your grocery list, AI chatbots have come a long way.
