infobotn.
/ˈɪnfəʊbɒt/, U.S. /ˈɪnfoʊˌbɑt/ Computing.
Any of various automated systems for providing or obtaining information, spec. (a) (a proprietary name in the United States for) a computerized telephone query handling system in which callers select options as directed by a synthesized or recorded voice in order to receive desired information (now rare); (b) a program or utility for obtaining information from the internet which does not require the direct control of the user; cf. knowbot n.
ΚΠ
1986 ABA Banking Jrnl. (Nexis) May 126 An automated service that uses artificial intelligence and voice technology and that substitutes for customer service representatives has been developed by Syntellect. Called Infobot, the system can be used without making any changes in the bank's existing mainframe software.
1991 Communication Week (Nexis) 9 Sept. 40 Undergraduates at the University of California-Los Angeles have been able to sign up for their classes since 1989 using an InfoBot system.
1999 Assoc. Computing Machinery Nov. 69 Why is it that users do not have an InfoBot on their desktop that will analyze their information needs, scour the Web and get them exactly what they need?
2004 J. Trout On Strategy i. 10 The more information glut bears down on you, the more Internet ‘portals’ and search engines and infobots arise to help by pouring information your way.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1986