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.
At a time when many companies are racing to slap “AI-powered” labels on generic chatbots, Konstantin Bukin took a different approach. As Director of AI at Saritasa, a custom software development firm with over 15 years of experience, Bukin spent months building and testing AI solutions internally before offering them to clients. That deliberate, hands-on process of developing an AI Website Assistant and an internal team assistant with agentic capabilities gave Saritasa something increasingly rare in the AI space: genuine expertise backed by real-world implementation experience.
The result is a chatbot development approach that prioritizes deep integration over quick deployment, ownership over subscription models, and practical business impact over hype. Saritasa’s custom AI solutions connect directly to client databases and CRM systems, moving beyond simple question-and-answer functionality to perform tasks, automate workflows, and proactively assist users.
In this conversation, Bukin discusses why the hardest part of AI implementation is rarely the AI itself, how agentic capabilities transform chatbots from passive tools to active partners, and why businesses need to audit their data before they even think about calling a developer. For any organization considering AI implementation in 2025, this interview offers a grounded perspective on what actually works and what’s required to make it work.
Saritasa is a custom software development company that’s been building tailored technology solutions for over 15 years. We work with businesses across industries, from manufacturing to healthcare to education, helping them solve complex problems with technology.
As Director of AI, I lead our efforts to apply artificial intelligence to real business needs. That means not only building AI solutions for clients but also helping them understand how AI fits into their existing systems, processes, and goals. At Saritasa, our mission is to empower businesses with technology, and AI is a natural extension of that mission.
When AI exploded in late 2022, many companies rushed to put their name on “AI solutions.” We took a different route by building and testing AI internally first.
For example, we developed our own AI Website Assistant and an internal team assistant with agentic capabilities before ever offering chatbot services to clients. This gave us two big advantages:
That hands-on experience made us far better positioned to deliver AI solutions that actually work in real-world business environments.
Most off-the-shelf chatbots are “one-size-fits-all.” They’re cheap and fast to launch, but they don’t connect deeply with a business’s systems or processes.
Our approach differs in that we build custom AI chatbots that integrate directly into a company’s databases, CRM systems, and workflows. Instead of a generic assistant, clients receive a solution that understands their data, processes, and customers.
We also push beyond simple Q&A into agentic capabilities. That means the chatbot can do more than answer questions; it can take action, perform tasks, and proactively assist users. This turns it from a passive tool into an active partner that drives real business impact.
We believe AI should be a long-term asset, not a rental. With subscription services, companies risk dependency, hidden costs, or even losing access if the provider changes terms.
By giving clients ownership, they get full control over their data, their workflows, and their budgets. No surprise licensing fees, no vendor lock-in. It’s an investment that keeps paying dividends.
The hardest part is almost never the AI itself—it’s the integration. Businesses often have complex, sometimes messy systems. Connecting AI to those systems means tackling:
Overcoming these challenges requires strong engineering and a deep understanding of the client’s business processes.
Internal chatbots are designed for employees. They streamline processes like project updates, reporting, or accessing company knowledge. In some cases, they also perform repetitive tasks, essentially acting as productivity boosters with agentic capabilities that go beyond answering questions.
External chatbots are customer-facing. They handle support, sales inquiries, and onboarding – improving customer experience while reducing workload on human teams.
Most organizations benefit from both. Internal bots improve efficiency, while external bots enhance customer interactions. Together, they save time, reduce costs, and improve overall business performance.
Two stand out:
We frame AI as a force multiplier. Instead of replacing people, it empowers them:
The best AI implementations make people more effective and impactful.
My advice is: get your foundation in order first. Before building AI, businesses should:
The stronger the foundation, the smoother and more successful the AI project will be.
I see four major trends:
For small and medium-sized businesses, this means AI chatbots will become practical, affordable, and transformative, helping them compete at a higher level without dramatically increasing costs.
