---
title: "Chatbot"
description: "A chatbot is software that answers questions in a conversation. It can be a simple rule-based script or AI that understands free text. A chatbot replies, but it does not take action in your systems."
canonical: "https://www.whatsnext-ai.com/glossary/chatbot"
---

# Chatbot

A chatbot is software that answers questions in a conversation. It can be a simple rule-based script or AI that understands free text. A chatbot replies, but it does not take action in your systems.

## Definition

That is the difference from an [AI agent](https://www.whatsnext-ai.com/glossary/ai-agent): a chatbot informs, an agent does work (books an appointment, creates an order, updates the CRM). For frequently asked questions a good chatbot is often enough. When something needs to happen, you need an agent. The distinction is explained in [What is an AI agent?](https://www.whatsnext-ai.com/blog/what-is-an-ai-agent)

## Related

- [AI Agents](https://www.whatsnext-ai.com/ai-agents)