We recently sat down with Ryan Dearlove, the founder of the innovative no-code chatbot platform chitchatbot.ai, to get his take on the rapidly changing world of artificial intelligence. From why chatbots are suddenly everywhere to what the future holds, Ryan breaks it all down in a friendly, no-nonsense way.
So, why does it feel like chatbots and AI have suddenly exploded onto the scene?
It really comes down to a shift in how we all like to communicate. We’re all used to the instant, easy back-and-forth of chatting with mates on WhatsApp or sending a quick DM on Instagram. Now, that expectation is spilling over into how we deal with businesses. We want that same speed and convenience.
Chatbots have been around for a while, but it’s the recent leaps in AI that have made them genuinely useful. People will only use a chatbot if it actually helps them get something done quickly and without fuss. The market is booming – it’s set to jump from over $12 billion in 2024 to a massive $61 billion by 2032. This isn’t just a tech trend; it’s a fundamental change in how we interact with businesses every day.
Looking ahead, why does it feel like chatbots and AI have suddenly exploded onto the scene?
Well, you’ve got the usual suspects, of course – Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon. They’re all in a brilliant position because they’ve got the AI research, the software we all use, and crucially, the hardware like our phones, smart speakers, and laptops that brings it all into our homes.
But it’s not just a big-tech game anymore. Look at OpenAI; they’ve completely shaken things up. They’re even teaming up with design legend Jony Ive to create a whole new type of AI device. The rumour mill was buzzing about an “AI necklace,” but their new company, ‘io’, is aiming for something much bigger – completely rethinking how we use computers.
Then you have specialist companies like Palantir. They’ve traditionally worked with governments and huge corporations, but their data-crunching skills are incredibly valuable in the age of AI. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them making a bigger splash in the business world. Plus, new players like Anthropic, with their ‘Claude’ AI, are popping up all the time, which keeps things exciting and competitive.
With all these new AI gadgets, should we be worried about our privacy?
Absolutely. Privacy has always been a hot topic in tech, and these new, more personal AI devices are only going to turn up the heat. The idea of an “always-on” AI gadget, like the one ‘io’ might be working on, immediately makes you think about data and consent.
The real question is, what information are they gathering, what are they doing with it, and are they being upfront about it? Is your device going to be constantly listening in? If so, where does that data go and who keeps it safe? There are massive ethical questions here, not just for you, but for anyone you’re talking to who hasn’t agreed to be recorded. Building trust is going to be everything, and that means companies need to give us clear, honest privacy controls.
We all know about AI for customer service, but what other parts of a business do you see it transforming soon?
Customer service was just the beginning. We’re moving past simple Q&A bots and into a world of sophisticated AI assistants that can handle much more complex jobs.
Take HR, for example. AI can make the whole process of hiring and onboarding new staff so much smoother. It can answer questions from candidates, help new starters with their paperwork, and even handle day-to-day HR queries from current employees about things like holiday leave or benefits. That frees up the HR team to focus on the more human side of things.
In sales and marketing, AI chatbots are becoming brilliant at finding and qualifying new leads. They can have a proper chat with people visiting a website, figure out what they need, suggest products, and even book a demo with a sales rep. It just makes that first point of contact much more personal and engaging.
Even the IT helpdesk is getting an AI makeover. An AI can be the first port of call for tech problems, sorting out the common issues and logging tickets for the trickier stuff. It’s all about making things run more efficiently and freeing up talented people to tackle the bigger challenges.
It sounds tough for smaller AI startups to compete with the tech giants. What can they do to stand out?
It’s definitely a challenge going up against the likes of Google and Meta with their massive resources, but smaller startups have a few secret weapons.
The smartest thing they can do is to find a niche and own it. While the big players are building general, all-purpose AI, a startup can become the absolute expert in one specific area – say, creating an AI that’s amazing at analysing medical scans or reviewing legal contracts. By getting really good at one thing, they can create a solution that’s far better than a one-size-fits-all model.
Startups are also much quicker on their feet. They don’t have layers of bureaucracy, so they can build, test, and adapt their products much faster. They can respond to what customers want almost instantly.
Focusing on a unique angle, like having the best user experience, offering stronger privacy protection, or championing ethical AI, can also make a huge difference. Building a community around those values can create a really loyal customer base. Finally, clever partnerships are key. Teaming up with other companies can open up new doors and give them the boost they need.
What role should governments play in all of this? Should they be regulating AI?
It’s a tricky balancing act for governments and regulators. Their main job is to protect us and make sure AI is developed and used safely and fairly.
This means putting rules in place to tackle things like algorithmic bias, where AI systems could end up discriminating against certain groups. We need to know how these AI systems are making decisions and who’s accountable when things go wrong. The EU’s AI Act is a great example of this – it matches the level of regulation to the level of risk.
At the same time, you don’t want to stifle innovation. Governments can help by funding research, improving tech infrastructure, and promoting AI skills. Things like “regulatory sandboxes,” where companies can safely test new AI ideas, are a brilliant way to encourage progress while keeping an eye on the risks.
Because tech is global, working with other countries is also essential. A jumble of different rules in every country would be a nightmare. Agreeing on international standards is the best way to build public trust in AI while making sure we can all enjoy the benefits.
Looking ten years down the line, how do you think AI will change how we deal with technology and information?
I think AI is going to completely overhaul our relationship with technology. We’re moving away from having to tell our devices exactly what to do and towards a future where they work with us, almost proactively.
Our interactions will feel much more like a natural conversation. Instead of typing keywords into a search bar, you’ll just chat with an AI assistant that understands what you’re really after and can pull together information from all over the place to give you a straight, complete answer. It will make technology feel much more approachable for everyone.
The way we find and consume information will change too. AI will become our personal curator, learning what we like and flagging things we might find interesting. This could be great for cutting through the noise, but we also need to be careful of getting stuck in “filter bubbles.” We’ll need to get better at thinking critically about the information we see.
We’ll also start to see AI agents that can actually do things for us – manage our diaries, book appointments, or even do our shopping based on what we’ve told them. We’ll become less like operators and more like directors of our tech. It’ll be a partnership, with AI boosting our own abilities and freeing us up to be more creative and strategic.
As a bot builder yourself, why should a business get a chatbot, and should they put it on their website or on channels like Instagram and WhatsApp?
From my point of view, the main reasons for a business to use a chatbot are to be more efficient and to give customers a better experience. A chatbot is on duty 24/7, ready to give instant answers when your human team has clocked off. This isn’t just what customers now expect; it also frees up your staff to deal with the more complex, high-value conversations.
As for where you should put your bot, it’s not an either/or situation. You really need to be wherever your customers are.
A chatbot on your website is a must-have. It’s the first thing visitors see and it can actively engage them, answer their questions, and guide them towards a sale. It’s a fantastic tool for generating leads.
But stopping there would be a huge missed opportunity. Billions of people are on messaging apps every single day, and they’re perfectly happy to chat with businesses there, Meta message ads are one of the fastest growing ad formats.
So, the best strategy is to be everywhere. Have a great chatbot on your website to welcome visitors, but also extend that same helpful service to the messaging apps your customers love to use. That way, you’re offering a seamless and accessible experience, no matter how people choose to connect with you.
Also Read: Dia Is Here: The AI Browser Set to Redefine How We Use the Internet
