IM bot

IM bot is a chatterbot program that uses instant messaging as an application interface. IM users can add the name of the IM bot to their buddy list. Because the bot uses artificial intelligence, the end user thinks that he is talking to a real person and can forget that he is actually just querying a database. Enterprise-class instant messaging systems are incorporating IM bots to provide a convenient way for employees to look up information. Some IM bots are able to connect to outside databases and provide the user with news, weather reports, driving directions, movie times, stock quotes, and other information. IM bots are also called interactive agents.