Embedding AI in Product Workflows Instead of Relying on Chat Interfaces

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A DEV Community article argues that building a generic chatbot clone for a specific domain tends to produce confusing products, since users need AI integrated into their tasks rather than a separate conversation window. It contends that chat interfaces obscure status, turn errors into conversation, and force users to repeat context the application already holds. The author recommends treating AI as a coworker assigned to a defined task, with embedded actions, human-reviewable drafts, diff views, and visible sources and confidence levels. For enterprise tools such as ERP systems, the piece suggests structured forms with an AI assist option, permissioned actions, and audit logs rather than open-ended autonomous agents.

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