What is a chatbot? Definition, types and the correct spelling

A chatbot is a computer program that converses with people via text or spoken language. The word is made up of "Chat" (chatting, text conversation) and "Bot" (short for robot) together. A distinction is made between rule-based chatbots, which follow fixed processes, and AI chatbots, which understand free-form questions and formulate their own answers.

A brief history of chatbots

The first known chatbot is considered to be ELIZA, which Joseph Weizenbaum developed at MIT in the 1960s. ELIZA recognized keywords and reflected statements back as questions — without understanding anything. For decades, chatbots remained essentially such rule-based systems. The breakthrough came with large language models: Since ChatGPT became publicly available at the end of 2022, most people have associated the word chatbot with an AI that can hold real conversations.

The types of chatbots

Rule-based chatbot

Works with decision trees, buttons, and keywords. It is predictable and inexpensive, but fails at anything that is not in the script.

AI chatbot

Uses a language model, understands the meaning of a question and formulates suitable answers – in business use, usually based on its own knowledge base. What exactly an AI chatbot is is also explained in the glossary entry AI chatbot.

Voicebot

A chatbot that understands and speaks spoken language — for example, over the phone. In a company, it is often called a AI phone assistant.

Chatbot or AI agent?

An AI agentcarries out tasks independently across multiple steps. A chatbot primarily responds in conversation. The boundary is fluid, more on this in What is an AI agent?.

Where chatbots are used

• Customer service and FAQs on websites
• Appointment booking and inquiry capture
• Product advice in the online shop
• Internal knowledge assistants for employees
• Messengers such as WhatsApp
• Personal assistants such as ChatGPT or Claude

Spelling: chatbot, chat-bot or chattbot?

In German, it is "the chatbot"the usual spelling, written as one word and masculine; the plural is "the chatbots". The hyphenated spelling ("Chat-Bot") does occur, but is less common.

In Swedish the question "chattbot or chatbot?" often arises: since the verb there is written "chatta" with two t's, "chattbot"the form adapted to Swedish, which also appears in Swedish dictionaries. In inflected forms, the t in “bot” is often doubled as well (“chattbotten”, “chattbottar”). However, the English spelling “chatbot” is still common in Swedish.

In Spanish and French the term “chatbot” is usually used; “chatbot IA” or “chatbot de IA” refers to the AI chatbot there. In English, “conversational AI” and “AI assistant” are also common alongside “chatbot”.

Do companies need a chatbot?

Anyone who regularly answers similar questions can benefit. The guide shows how to assess the need and find the right solution Chatbot for companies; you can find our own offering under AI chatbot.

Chatbot, virtual assistant, voicebot: a comparison of the terms

• Chatbot: umbrella term for programs that respond in dialogue.
• Virtual assistant / AI assistant: usually an AI chatbot with a broader range of tasks.
• Voicebot / voice assistant: Chatbot with voice input and output, for example over the phone.
• Conversational AI: Umbrella term for the technologies behind dialog systems.
• AI agent: System that independently carries out tasks over multiple steps.

Advantages and disadvantages of chatbots

Advantages

• Answers around the clock without waiting time
• Relief for the team from recurring questions
• Consistent answer quality
• Multilingual support without additional staff

Disadvantages and limitations

• Dependent on the quality of the stored content
• Limited empathy in sensitive situations
• Data protection and transparency obligations must be properly addressed
• Without maintenance, responses become outdated

Chatbots and law in brief

In the EU, people must be able to recognize that they are communicating with an AI – this is required by the EU AI Act. If a chatbot processes personal data, the GDPR applies. More on this in AI Chatbot and GDPR and on labeling in the article AI labeling requirement.

How chatbots are used in companies today

In companies, the AI chatbot with its own knowledge base has become established: it answers questions on the website, in messenger apps, or internally based on the company’s content. An overview of use cases and selection criteria is provided in the guide Chatbot for companies; how the technology works is explained in How does an AI chatbot work?.

Terms in other languages

• English: chatbot, AI chatbot, conversational AI
• Swedish:chattbot (adapted form), chatbot (English form)
• Spanish:chatbot, AI chatbot ("AI chatbot")
• French:chatbot, conversational agent
• Italian:chatbot, virtual assistant
• Turkish:chatbot, chatbot

For multilingual websites, it is worth using the term in each language that people actually search for there.

About bettersorted

bettersorted is an AI consulting and automation company from Schwerin. We are a BAFA-registered consultant, an authorized INQA coach, and co-founder of the KI|werk MV network; our practical experience comes from the social economy, skilled trades, and SMEs. Our solutions run on servers in Germany, with transparent workflows instead of a black box.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a chatbot, explained simply?

A program that communicates with people via text or voice. It answers questions and can perform simple tasks – either rule-based, following a fixed script, or with AI that understands freely phrased questions.

Is it der or das Chatbot?

It is der Chatbot, plural die Chatbots – analogous to der Roboter, from which “Bot” is derived.

In Swedish, is it written chattbot or chatbot?

The Swedish form is “chattbot,” based on the verb “chatta.” It appears in Swedish dictionaries; however, the English spelling “chatbot” is also common in Swedish.

What was the first chatbot?

The first known chatbot is considered to be ELIZA, developed by Joseph Weizenbaum in the 1960s at MIT. ELIZA worked with keywords and patterns without understanding content.

What is the difference between a chatbot and AI?

AI is the technology, a chatbot is an application. Not every chatbot uses AI — rule-based bots follow fixed scripts. AI chatbots use language models to understand free-form questions.

As of October 2026.