Beyond the chatbot: Why virtual assistants are the future of customer service – bai.org

Welcome to the forefront of conversational AI as we explore the fascinating world of AI chatbots in our dedicated blog series. Discover the latest advancements, applications, and strategies that propel the evolution of chatbot technology. From enhancing customer interactions to streamlining business processes, these articles delve into the innovative ways artificial intelligence is shaping the landscape of automated conversational agents. Whether you’re a business owner, developer, or simply intrigued by the future of interactive technology, join us on this journey to unravel the transformative power and endless possibilities of AI chatbots.
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Conversational AI helps financial services organizations interact with technology in a human-like manner.
The advent of online banking, the rise of mobile devices and the 2020 pandemic have continually rewritten the script on how financial institutions interact with customers. Now, the rapid evolution of AI is changing the landscape even further.
Customers of all ages have shifted to online, mobile and even social channels for their banking needs, but it isn’t enough simply to meet them where they are. Financial institutions must anticipate their needs and offer instant solutions, personalized experiences and 24/7 availability.
Enter conversational AI (CAI)—an innovation that is revolutionizing banking customer experiences. CAI refers to technological systems that enable people to interact with technology in a human-like manner. Unlike traditional chatbots, it offers fluid, natural interactions, understanding user queries in their complexity and diversity.
Do not mistake this for a simple chatbot. CAI is a much more powerful and advanced technology. Where chatbots respond through structured question-and-answer flows, CAI engages in fluid and unstructured dialogues. It detects not just keywords, but the customer’s real intentions. This is made possible through advanced linguistic and semantic engines that comprehend natural, human-like language—multiple languages, regionalisms, slang, emojis and even voice memos.
CAI gives a virtual banking assistant significant advantage over a traditional script-driven chatbot, offering instead:
Open and natural conversations: Banks can offer an experience that’s more fluid and empathetic, similar to human interactions. Customers can pose questions in any format they want because the technology is designed to establish open and unstructured conversations, in all types of interactions.
Integration and personalization: One of CAI’s standout features is its ability to integrate with other platforms. For banking specifically, this means connection to core banking platforms allowing secure access to financial information. The virtual assistant can share real-time information with customers about their account balance, recent transactions or card expiration—instead of providing links or redirects to other apps.
The omnichannel advantage: Omnichannel is not just about being present on all channels. It’s about creating seamless, consistent experiences and adapting to each customer’s journey. With CAI, banks can ensure consistent service quality across all those touchpoints, leveraging the unique strengths of each channel to get questions answered and keep customers satisfied.
Prioritizing privacy and security: It goes without saying that in the banking sector, privacy and security are paramount. CAI platforms can (and must) implement stringent security measures, like data encryption and ciphering.
Seamless transitions and scalability: For complex issues requiring human intervention, CAI platforms can effortlessly transition the customer to a live agent without leaving the chat window. When these platforms are scalable, they are capable of handling vast volumes of queries without long delays or downtime.
No-code implementation: Modern CAI platforms are designed to be used without the need for a specialized technical team, making it easy for anyone on the banking team to implement and modify its content.
The rise of proactive banking: CAI helps banks anticipate needs and initiate conversations with customers through push notifications or proactive messages. This approach can be key to enhancing customer engagement and satisfaction and upselling products and services.
6 ways to maximize a CAI virtual assistant
Many customers don’t want to visit a branch, be placed on hold or complete a tedious workflow of tasks in online banking simply to open an account. With CAI, the process becomes effortless. Once a customer shows interest, the AI can jump in and guide the customer in their channel of choice. When the process is complete, the AI can provide regular updates on the account’s approval status and keep customers informed.
CAI banking assistants can constantly monitor transactions and look for patterns that seem out of the ordinary. If a suspicious transaction is detected, it immediately alerts the customer via their preferred communication channel and can temporarily freeze the account or card. If there’s a larger security breach, the AI guides the customer on the necessary steps to secure their account.
With core banking integrations that a CAI-powered platform can support, customers can access all their banking information from any channel, at any time, by simply interacting with the virtual assistant. Instead of navigating through apps or websites to get basic information, customers can simply ask the AI assistant questions like, “What’s my balance?” or “What are my recent transactions?” Instead of a redirect, they’ll receive an immediate response that prioritizes their privacy and security.
An AI banking assistant can process utility payments on behalf of customers, remind them of upcoming bills and even schedule payments to avoid late fees. Once the customer sets up their utility providers, the AI remembers and streamlines future transactions—and provides detailed receipts to customers.
An effective system for reporting incidents such as lost, stolen or inaccurate transactions is crucial for customer satisfaction. When customers voice concerns or provide feedback, the AI can either resolve the issue or route it appropriately. The AI is available around the clock. For more complex problems, it can intelligently route the concern to the appropriate department, and after the issue is resolved, it can return to ask for feedback.
CAI can walk customers through card activation, ensuring both security and ease of use. The AI assistant simplifies the process with step-by-step guidance while helping to prevent fraud with identity verification. The banking world is rapidly evolving, and CAI is at the forefront of change. By offering open and natural conversations, integrating with various platforms and prioritizing privacy and security, this technology sets a new standard for customer service. These use cases are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the potential of CAI banking assistants. As the technology matures, its applications in the banking sector will only expand, making it an indispensable tool for modern banks.
Nina Vellayan is CEO of Engageware.
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