Bots are coming to Skype on iOS, Android, HoloLens, and desktop

Microsoft today announced at its Build developer conference in San Francisco that Skype chats will be getting chatbots to interact with users. It’s coming today to Skype desktop, iOS, and Android — and eventually Skype for the HoloLens augmented reality headset.

The new tools can loop other bots into the conversation, and it can even pre-populate messages to real people using data that it knows based on your interactions with it.

Video calls will also be enhanced using bots.

“Skype video bots will reinvent the way friends, family, and businesses get together,” said Skype group program manager Lilian Rincon. “For the first time, we will be able [to offer] a personalized experience for you to connect with your favorite character, business, or brand.”

To accelerate the development of bots for Skype, Microsoft introduced the Skype Bot Platform.

Also today, Microsoft announced the launch of the Bot Framework to let bots make their own chatbots using Microsoft technology.

Find out more about the Skype Bots preview here.