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NLWeb is Microsoft’s project to bring more chatbots to webpages
Microsoft has launched NLWeb, an open project enabling websites to easily create AI-powered chatbots with minimal coding. Announced at Build 2025, NLWeb aims to simplify chatbot deployment, allowing for unique user interactions while potentially connecting to AI platforms. The project has links to prior collaborative efforts with OpenAI, now ready for implementation.
Key points
- Microsoft introduced NLWeb at Build 2025 to streamline chatbot creation for websites.
- NLWeb allows easy integration of AI chatbots using minimal code and users' own data.
- Retailers can create tailored chatbots for shopping, while cooking websites can suggest recipes.
- Websites can make content discoverable to AI platforms via MCP, enhancing user interaction.
- NLWeb may have evolved from earlier work by OpenAI with various partners.
Why it matters
- The rise of AI-powered chatbots is part of a broader trend in 2025 of enhancing user interfaces on digital platforms.
- Similar initiatives in the past have aimed to integrate AI tools with web functionalities, such as OpenAI's previous collaborations.
- Microsoft's focus on AI aligns with the ongoing discourse about the future impact of technology on user engagement.
NLWeb represents a significant step toward democratizing AI chatbot technology for websites, reflecting a broader trend of integrating AI into everyday digital experiences, thereby enhancing user interaction and accessibility.