Major bank launches new chatbot to deal with customers and reveals how its high street branches will be impacted

BANK NatWest is launching a new version of its chatbot that can have human-like conversations with customers.

It said its upgraded virtual assistant, Cora+, will be powered by generative artificial intelligence.

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NatWest is launching a new version of its chatbot that can have human-like conversations with customers[/caption]

It means customers will be able to ask questions and get answers in a more natural and conversational style, closer to talking to actual staff.

Cora+, created with technology giant IBM, can access information from multiple sources.

It has also been made free of “bias and hate”, according to IBM Technology’s Paul Taylor.

But he insisted it will not stop people from going into branches or speaking to staff.

He said: “Fundamentally it is about giving customers more choice about what information they want, where they want it, and how they want to respond.”

The launch comes after the UK hosted the AI Safety Summit with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hailing “landmark” agreements and progress on global collaboration around AI.

Mr Sunak announced a new institute in the UK that would be allowed to test new AI models developed by major technology firms before they are released.