Google to make 'chat bot' play, report says

SAN FRANCISCO — Google is creating tools for software developers to build chat bots that run inside messaging apps such as Facebook Messenger and Google's own messaging products, according to a published report.

The technology giant plans to discuss some of the details at its annual developer conference, which starts Wednesday, The Information reported.

Google declined to comment.

"Essentially, Google wants to get into the bot-making business more broadly than people realized, and in a way that’s similar to Microsoft’s strategy, and relying on its strengths in artificial intelligence to convince developers to use its tools," the report reads.

Google, like Microsoft, missed out on the new wave of messaging apps which are some of the world's most popular apps. Its two messaging services — Messenger and Hangouts — lag Facebook's WhatsApp and Messenger as well as Tencent Holdings' WeChat, the most popular messaging app in China.

The Wall Street Journal reported in December that Google planned to integrate chat bots, interactive software powered by artificial intelligence that answer questions inside a messaging app, so that users can send queries as text messages. At the time, the newspaper said Google would likely allow developers to build chatbots to run on the service. Google veteran Nick Fox leads the team working on the project.

Facebook Messenger launched its chat bots platform at its annual developers conference in April. The chat bots have received mixed reviews.