Microsoft Bot Framework

Microsoft Bot Framework is a rich set of tools for creating enterprise-scale conversational AI experiences. It lets you create bots that listen, speak, understand and learn from users through Azure Cognitive Services. The framework is open-source and extensible, so developers can create secure, global, and scalable solutions that easily integrate with existing IT systems.

Some of the key features of Microsoft Bot Framework include:

• Azure Cognitive Services: Advanced natural language understanding and generation capabilities.
• Bot Framework Composer: A visual authoring canvas for designing and building conversational experiences.
• Language Understanding: Custom models that learn and improve over time.
• QnA Maker: Publishing simple question and answer bots based on existing FAQs and documents.
• Speech: Hearing commands, identifying individual speakers, translating, and responding in natural language with a branded voice.
• Search: Searching defined domains or the web for customer data, inventory, and more.
• Vision: Recognizing faces, moderating content, and indexing images and video with computer vision services.

Microsoft Bot Framework can be used for a variety of scenarios, including:

• Virtual Assistant: Allowing customers to interact with services at home, at work, and in the car.
• Customer Care: Continuously improving and personalizing customer support on any channel and device.
• Enterprise: Allowing organizations to connect people, tasks, information, and services in a conversational experience.

Pricing is based on Azure services, which includes a free tier with $200 credit for the first 30 days. Beyond the free tier, pricing varies depending on the specific services used.

With Microsoft Bot Framework, organizations can create AI experiences that expand their brand while keeping control of their data. Developers can get started with quick start guides, tutorials, and a wealth of resources to design, build, test and publish conversational AI solutions. Some examples include LaLiga's virtual assistant, Adobe's chatbot to reduce friction points, and Progressive Insurance's Flo Chatbot to get quotes and engage in witty banter.

Published on June 25, 2024