Chatbots: History, technology, and applications - ScienceDirect.com
Retrieval and Generative-based chatbots use several kinds of Artificial Neural Networks. The system takes the user's input, computes its vector ...
Chatbots: History, technology, and applications - ScienceDirect[Skip to main content](#screen-reader-main-content) [Skip to article](#screen-reader-main-title)

[![Elsevier logo](https://sdfestaticassets-us-east-1.sciencedirectassets.com/shared-assets/24/images/elsevier-non-solus-new-grey.svg)ScienceDirect](/)

- [Journals & Books](/browse/journals-and-books)

- Help

- [Search](/search "Search")


[My account](/user/login?targetURL=%2Fscience%2Farticle%2Fpii%2FS2666827020300062&from=globalheader)

[Sign in](/user/institution/login?targetURL=%2Fscience%2Farticle%2Fpii%2FS2666827020300062)

- View **PDF**
- Download full issue

Search ScienceDirect

[![Elsevier](https://sdfestaticassets-us-east-1.sciencedirectassets.com/prod/ad2b697081e458c8c9c8a5084642a9cf7e440782/image/elsevier-non-solus.png)](/journal/machine-learning-with-applications "Go to Machine Learning with Applications on ScienceDirect")

## [Machine Learning with Applications](/journal/machine-learning-with-applications "Go to Machine Learning with Applications on ScienceDirect")

[Volume 2](/journal/machine-learning-with-applications/vol/2/suppl/C "Go to table of contents for this volume/issue"), 15 December 2020, 100006

[![Machine Learning with Applications](https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S2666827020X0003X-cov150h.gif)](/journal/machine-learning-with-applications/vol/2/suppl/C)

# Chatbots: History, technology, and applications

Author links open overlay panelEleniAdamopoulou, LefterisMoussiades

Show more

Add to Mendeley

Share

Cite

[https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mlwa.2020.100006](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mlwa.2020.100006 "Persistent link using digital object identifier") [Get rights and content](https://s100.copyright.com/AppDispatchServlet?publisherName=ELS&contentID=S2666827020300062&orderBeanReset=true)

Under a Creative Commons [license](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

open access

## Abstract

This literature review presents the History, Technology, and Applications of Natural Dialog Systems or simply chatbots. It aims to organize critical information that is a necessary background for further research activity in the field of chatbots. More specifically, while giving the historical evolution, from the generative idea to the present day, we point out possible weaknesses of each stage. After we present a complete categorization system, we analyze the two essential implementation technologies, namely, the pattern matching approach and machine learning. Moreover, we compose a general architectural design that gathers critical details, and we highlight crucial issues to take into account before system design. Furthermore, we present chatbots applications and industrial use cases while we point out the risks of using chatbots and suggest ways to mitigate them. Finally, we conclude by stating our view regarding the direction of technology so that chatbots will become really smart.

- Previousarticle in issue
- Nextarticle in issue

## Keywords

Chatbot

Pattern matching

Machine learning

Natural dialog interfaces

Natural language processing

Human–computer interaction

Recommended articles

## Cited by (0)

© 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.

## Recommended articles

No articles found.

## Article Metrics

[View article metrics](https://plu.mx/plum/a/?doi=10.1016/j.mlwa.2020.100006)

[![Elsevier logo with wordmark](https://sdfestaticassets-us-east-1.sciencedirectassets.com/shared-assets/47/images/elsevier-non-solus-new-with-wordmark.svg)](https://www.elsevier.com/)

- [About ScienceDirect](https://www.elsevier.com/solutions/sciencedirect)
- [Remote access](/user/institution/login?targetURL=%2Fscience%2Farticle%2Fpii%2FS2666827020300062)
- [Shopping cart](https://sd-cart.elsevier.com/?)
- [Advertise](https://www.elsmediakits.com)
- [Contact and support](https://service.elsevier.com/app/contact/supporthub/sciencedirect/)
- [Terms and conditions](https://www.elsevier.com/legal/elsevier-website-terms-and-conditions)
- [Privacy policy](https://www.elsevier.com/legal/privacy-policy)

Cookies are used by this site. **Cookie Settings**

All content on this site: Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V., its licensors, and contributors. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies. For all open access content, the Creative Commons licensing terms apply.

[![RELX group home page](https://sdfestaticassets-us-east-1.sciencedirectassets.com/shared-assets/60/images/logo-relx-tm.svg)](https://www.relx.com/)