Automated conversation developer HelloDone creates ‘game-changing’ artificial AI user: Torch

Automated conversation developer and platform provider HelloDone has announced the release of its new AI user with the goal for the product to test, stress, and shine a light on issues with AI software, which has given it the name of Torch.

Torch works by emulating a human user and simulates AI interaction randomly and repeatedly to ensure the operational validity of natural language programming (NLP) AI software.

Andrew Lea, Head of AI at HelloDone commented on how Torch is able to help users and what customers can expect by using the product by saying: “Being able to mimic users, with all their idiosyncrasies, at scale, and at speed, is a game-changer.  It means we know our natural language AI works and is accurate.  Torch brings new efficiency, speed, and rigor to Natural Language development. We can’t sit and have 10,00 conversations with Cicero, it’s completely impractical, and getting 100 people to have 100 conversations is hardly cost-effective.  The Torch is the way to do it.”

Conversational AI, chatbots, and NLP software are becoming increasingly sought after services with businesses and industries increasingly implementing the conversational tool into its business operations. Statista recently highlighted that 78% of organisations who were surveyed said that its business is using AI chatbots for self-service in simple scenarios.

Businesses and industries are starting to see the value of using conversational AI within its operations due to the increasing number of ways it can be used with examples ranging from training through to fraud prevention and security.

Nvidia showed a demo of its chatbot at the GPU conference in May 2020 to show how it can be integrated into a number of purposes while also being able to display emotions to match the conversation.

The automated conversation developer claim that Torch is a significant breakthrough for Natural Language AI development as it can potentially wipe out hours of testing and speed up software development. 

By using Torch, users can expect to artificially run hundreds of thousands of different conversations with a natural language AI in minutes, improving your system at a rate and depth previously not possible. 

The company claims that by using the Torch in industries and businesses that include transport, retail, and logistics, it will be able to deliver better customer engagement, greater loyalty, and increased operational benefits while reducing the businesses costs and driving new revenues.

HelloDone writes that Torch is so effective at mimicking human interaction with AI that it can be altered to make varying degrees of random mistakes that include wandering off-topic, incorrect spelling, asking unrelated questions, and consistently changing the expression of questions.

Lea added on what applied AI has to offer on the road ahead by saying: “Applied AI in all its forms has quickly become a huge part of our lives, perhaps even the more so over the last few months.  We can see the gaps, where Natural Language needs to be more natural and more accurate than a blunt chatbot.  Developing AI to help develop rigorous Natural Language AI, which we can show to be correct, is the way ahead.” 

As part of the automated conversation providers platform, customers can engage with businesses for payments, order management, ticketing, and other vital tasks through their lived-in messaging channels that include channels such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. 

HelloDone recently closed its first seed-funding round with a £2.3m investment secured showing that the service they’re offering and the customers it serves holds value with investors.

The automated conversation platform providers are not the only ones securing investment in the conversational AI arena with Orbita raising $9m for its healthcare focussed conversational AI that aims to have a simple user interface so it can be used by a wider target audience.

HelloDone explains that user interface designers have visual tools to design websites and mobile apps and that its new product Torch is conceptually the same for natural language conversations. 

The company claims that Torch is enabling the rapid progression of the company’s Cicero natural language platform, which delivers rich and automated conversations to its customers in the transport and post-purchase sectors through the selected companies messaging channels.