1. One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising: causing a virtual assistant to be presented to enable a conversation between a user and the virtual assistant, wherein the instructions are configured via a graphical user interface that receives features of a knowledge base for storage in the computer readable media, the features organized to trigger outputs according to units of vocabulary patterns arranged in the features, wherein the units of vocabulary patterns are stored in the memory with respective labels for each feature; receiving a speech input string via the virtual assistant during the conversation; converting the speech input string to converted data by substituting portions of the speech input string with sets of terms bearing corresponding labels that refer back to the respective labels of the knowledge base; matching the labels to identify a digital response to the speech input; and causing the digital response to be presented to the user in real-time via the virtual assistant.