The number of people using messaging apps is set to hit two billion by 2018, so it’s no wonder brands want to get in on the action. Major tech players are touting chatbots as the next big thing, but can they really revolutionise online interactions, or are they just part of an industry-driven pipe dream?

Chatbots have become smart – and they’ll soon be slick to boot. As more advanced bots learn how to be relatable and persuasive, charming AIs could be peddling products as well as any salesperson – ideal, given that studies suggest they're quite socially awkward at present.

As our lives become more automated, the consumer robotics industry is only set to grow. But something is holding the market back – people find it difficult to trust these machines, especially in their homes and offices. Why do they make us uneasy, and what will convince people to trust robots?

Chatbots could be the future of brand communication – but only if people actually want to talk to them. To stop digital assistants from being too robotic, brands and publishers are hiring comedic writers and actors to give them a sense of character and make them sound more human.