Chat app vs AI inside a product
A chat app is a general AI product for conversation; AI inside a product works within software built for a particular firm task.
A chat app is a general AI product organised around a conversation. AI inside a product works within software built for a particular job, such as meeting notes or client records. Both may use the same kind of model. Either may connect to the firm's records or ask a person to supply material; the label alone does not tell the firm which.
Rachel, an adviser, uses her firm's general chat app to draft Carol Lewis's review letter. She uploads the meeting notes, corrects the draft and copies the final letter into Carol's file. At a file check, compliance sees that the letter says Carol plans to retire at 60, while the notes say 62. The first AI draft and Rachel's changes are in the chat history, but she did not save them to Carol's file. Compliance has to ask how 60 entered the letter.
The firm's separate advice product has a letter workflow that keeps the source notes and drafts with the client record. That difference matters in this case, but it is a feature of these two products, not a promise made by their categories. A chat app can have connections to other systems, and specialist software can still leave filing to a person. The firm checks what each product can read, what it saves, and where its drafts and changes can be found.
Not to be confused with
- A model and a chat app can share a brand name. Check whether a vendor means the app or the model inside its product.
- AI-enabled describes a product whose main work continues without its AI features. Those features may still use a chat interface.
- A chat app's data terms may vary by plan, and its settings may affect data handling. Where client data goes is a separate check for either kind of product.
Overheard
Carol's letter says she'll retire at 60, and your notes say 62. Where did 60 come from?
I drafted it in the chat app. The notes and first draft are there, but I only saved the final letter to her file. I'll check where 60 came from, confirm Carol's retirement plan and correct the file or letter as needed. Then I'll check our advice product's letter workflow.
Where it sits
Chat app vs AI inside a product
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