This project involves building an intelligent chatbot application that provides users with automated responses to their queries, assists with information retrieval, and enhances customer support. The chatbot will be designed to improve user engagement and streamline communication across various platforms, including web and mobile.
The project aims to develop a scalable and efficient API that allows users to interact with the chatbot, manage conversations, and access information seamlessly. This API will support integration with various front-end applications, enabling users to communicate with the chatbot easily.
In today's fast-paced digital environment, chatbots are becoming essential for businesses to improve customer service and enhance user experience. This project will create an API that empowers users to receive timely responses and assistance, ultimately leading to increased satisfaction. Here’s a more detailed look at how users will interact with the chatbot:
User Registration and Authentication
Sign Up: New users can create an account by providing a username, email, and password. A confirmation email will be sent to verify their account.
Login: Registered users can log in using their email and password. The API will support multi-factor authentication (MFA) for enhanced security.
Conversation Management
Start Conversation: Users can initiate a conversation with the chatbot and receive instant responses.
View Chat History: Users can view their previous conversations to track inquiries and responses.
End Conversation: Users can end the conversation when they have received the information they need.
Information Retrieval
Ask Questions: Users can ask a variety of questions, and the chatbot will provide relevant answers based on predefined knowledge and AI capabilities.
Access Resources: The chatbot can provide links or resources based on user queries, including FAQs, articles, and guides.
Customer Support
Live Agent Handoff: Users can escalate their queries to a human agent if the chatbot cannot provide satisfactory answers.
Feedback Mechanism: Users can provide feedback on the chatbot's responses, helping to improve its performance over time.
Administrator Features
Manage Chatbot Responses: Administrators can update and manage the chatbot's
response database to ensure accuracy and relevance.
Analyze User Interactions: Administrators can view analytics on user interactions, including common queries and response effectiveness.
Objectives
Allow users to sign up, log in, and manage their accounts.
Enable users to initiate and manage conversations with the chatbot.
Facilitate the retrieval of information and resources through the chatbot.
Provide a mechanism for users to escalate issues to human support when necessary.
Enable administrators to manage chatbot responses and analyze user interactions.
Functional Requirements
User Management
Sign Up: Users can create an account with a username, email, and password.
Login: Users can log in using their credentials.
Profile Management: Users can update their profile information.
Conversation Management
Start Conversation: Users can initiate a chat with the chatbot.
View Chat History: Users can access their previous conversations.
End Conversation: Users can end the current chat session.
Information Retrieval
Ask Questions: Users can query the chatbot for information.
Access Resources: The chatbot can provide links or documents in response to queries. Customer Support
Live Agent Handoff: Users can request a human agent for more complex inquiries.
Feedback Mechanism: Users can submit feedback on chatbot responses.
Non-Functional Requirements
Scalability: The API should handle a growing number of users and interactions.
Performance: The API should have a fast response time and efficiently manage concurrent requests.
Security: Implement authentication and authorization mechanisms to protect user data.
Reliability: The API should be highly available and handle failures gracefully.
Usability: The API should be easy to use and well-documented.
Use Cases
User Sign Up and Login: New users sign up, and existing users log in.
Start and Manage Conversations: Users start and manage their conversations with the chatbot.
Retrieve Information: Users ask questions and receive answers from the chatbot.
Escalate to Live Support: Users escalate their queries to human agents.
User Stories
As a user, I want to sign up for an account so that I can use the chatbot.
As a user, I want to log in to my account to manage my interactions with the chatbot.
As a user, I want to ask questions and receive quick answers from the chatbot.
As a user, I want to view my chat history to revisit past conversations.
As a user, I want to escalate my issue to a human agent if needed.
As an administrator, I want to manage the chatbot's responses to ensure quality.
Technical Requirements
Programming Language: Choose an appropriate backend language (e.g., Node.js, Python, Ruby).
Database: Use a database to store user, chat, and feedback data (e.g., PostgreSQL, MongoDB).
Authentication: Implement JWT for secure user authentication.
API Documentation: Use Swagger or similar tools for API documentation.
API Endpoints
User Management
POST /signup: Register a new user.
POST /login: Authenticate a user.
GET /profile: Get user profile details.
PUT /profile: Update user profile.
Conversation Management
POST /chat/start: Start a new chat session.
GET /chat/history: Retrieve chat history for the user.
POST /chat/end: End the current chat session.
Information Retrieval
POST /chat/query: Submit a question to the chatbot and receive a response.
GET /chat/resources: Access resource links related to common queries
Customer Support
POST /support/escalate: Request escalation to a live agent.
POST /feedback: Submit feedback on chatbot responses.
Security
Use HTTPS to encrypt data in transit.
Implement input validation to prevent attacks (e.g., SQL injection, XSS).
Use strong password hashing algorithms (e.g., bcrypt).
Performance
Optimize database queries to handle large datasets efficiently.
Implement caching strategies to improve response times.
Documentation
Provide comprehensive API documentation using tools like Swagger.
Create user guides and developer documentation to assist with usage and integration.
Glossary
API: Application Programming Interface.
JWT: JSON Web Token.
CRUD: Create, Read, Update, Delete.
Appendix
Include relevant diagrams, data models, and additional references related to the Chatbot Application project.
