The rise of bots has begun: Microsoft introduces Cortana Intelligence Suite
The rise of bots has begun: Microsoft introduces Cortana Intelligence Suite
To help developers build bots, Microsoft has announced the Cortana Intelligence Suite. Powered by cutting-edge research into big data, machine learning, perception, analytics, and intelligent bots, and built on Microsoft Azure, Cortana Intelligence Suite (formerly called Cortana Analytics Suite) enables developers and businesses to create intelligent end-to-end solutions, including new apps that learn about our world and bots and agents that interact with people in personalized, intelligent ways.
New additions (currently in preview) to the Cortana Intelligence Suite include:
- Microsoft Cognitive Services - Formerly known as Project Oxford, Microsoft Cognitive Services has (at the moment) a collection of 22 intelligence APIs that allows systems to see, hear, speak, understand, and interpret our needs using natural methods of communication.
- Microsoft Bot Framework - This framework is for developers - programming in any language - to build intelligent bots that enable customers to chat using natural language on a wide variety of platforms, including text/SMS, Office 365, Skype, Slack, the Web, and more.
At Build, Microsoft also demonstrated how developers can use services, like those found in the Cortana Intelligence Suite, to transform not only businesses but people’s lives. The Seeing AI app, a research project under development, shows how these new capabilities can help people who are visually impaired or blind better understand who and what is around them.
Microsoft has also unveiled the Skype Bot Platform, which includes the SDK, APIs, and Workflows in the new Skype Bot Portal. With this platform, developers can build bots that leverage Skype’s multiple forms of communication, including text, voice, video, and 3D interactive characters. Customers, too, can get started with Skype Bots by downloading the latest Skype apps for Windows, Android, and iOS.