UCI Libraries' Chatbot Files (ANTswers)

This .aiml file covers information related to the chatbot personality. Edit the file using Notepad ++.

This file contains all 2 of the bot .aiml files that deal with the chatbot personality and remembering information about the client.  Unzip using 7-zip and edit in Notepad ++.

This .aiml file covers information related to remembering client information. Edit the file using Notepad ++.

This file contains all 26 of the conversation .aiml files that deal with general conversation.  Unzip using 7-zip and edit in Notepad ++.

This .aiml file covers general conversation that starts with I. File is split into 2 since it is too large to upload into Program-O. Edit the file using Notepad ++.

This .aiml file covers general conversation that starts with G. Edit the file using Notepad ++.

This .aiml file covers information related to circulation, borrowing, fines, liberary cards, etc.  Edit the file using Notepad ++.

This .aiml file covers information related to Special Collections & Archives. Edit the file using Notepad ++.

This .aiml file covers information related to library hours. Edit the file using Notepad ++.

This .aiml file includes ready reference type answers for general U.S. politics, presidents, vice-presidents, and world politics.  Edit the file using Notepad ++.

This .aiml file includes ready reference type answers for general authors and books.  Edit the file using Notepad ++.

This .aiml file includes ready reference type answers for geography.  Edit the file using Notepad ++.

This .aiml file includes keywords and resource recommendations for the subject nursing.  Edit the file using Notepad ++.

This .aiml file includes keywords and resource recommendations for the subject biology.  Edit the file using Notepad ++.

This .aiml file includes keywords and resource recommendations for the subject occupational health.  Edit the file using Notepad ++.

ANTswers, introduced in March of 2013, is an interactive beta chatbot that responds to frequently answered library questions for the University of California, Irvine Libraries. Many of the questions at a library reference desk are repetitive, such as: how to print, where the bathrooms are, and where the study rooms are. Utilizing a chatbot allows the library patron to ask questions 24/7 through an easy to access webpage and it allows the library to provide consistent answers to routine questions. Chatbot transcripts can also be text mined to learn how library patrons are asking questions, this information can be utilized in marketing or in updating library websites. ANTswers utilizes the open source program Program-O to manage the chatbots and the Artificial Intelligence Markup Language (AIML) to develop the back-end programming. This poster will introduce the basics of AIML and the process to implement and maintain a library chatbot for your institution. Included in the poster will be information on the assessment of the ANTswers pilot and charts and graphs of our key statistics. The UCI Libraries has made the ANTswers files publicly available and downloadable through eScholarship, this will allow other institutions to edit and modify already created library files.

Chatbots (also known as conversational agents, artificial conversation entities, or chatterboxes) are computer applications that imitate human personality. Chatbotscan be used to augment and bridge gaps in library services and are meant to enhance, not replace, face to face communication or interaction. A Chatbot can walkpatrons through basic tasks like renewing items online, ordering ILL materials, and searching for materials in catalogs and databases. Using the open-source software, Program-O and the AIML programming language the UC Irvine Libraries are currently developing a library chatbot. The presenter will share the project planning process, share the basics of AIML, and demo the beta bot.

Presentation at CARLDIG-S Fall Program: Hacking Reference: Engaging the "Whole Student“.  ANTswers is an interactive chatbot written using .aiml and developed to answer questions about the UC Irvine Libraries.