AI Functions

The AI Function lets you connect your AI integrations to automation processes and external tools. With it, your AI agent can:

• Collect user data.

• Trigger workflows.

• Retrieve information from external systems.

• Return results directly to the user.

Why Use AI Functions?

Normally, AI can’t access real-time or external data. With AI Functions, you can fill that gap:

• Example 1: Real-time dataUser: “What’s the weather like in New York?”→ AI Function triggers a Weather API → AI provides the answer.

• Example 2: Lead qualificationIf you’re a real estate agent, AI Functions can automatically collect details from prospects (e.g., budget, location, property type) before handing them over to you.

• Example 3: Human handoffChitchatbot.ai includes a built-in AI Function (connect_user_to_human) that instantly transfers a conversation to a live agent. This is active by default for all accounts.

How to Create an AI Function

• Go to AI Center → AI Tools → AI Functions.

• Click Add to create a new function.

• Fill in the following details:

Name

• Use clear, descriptive names (at least 2 words).

• Example: Use get_current_weather instead of just weather.

What does this trigger do?

• Describe the function starting with “Allows the user to…”

• Example: “Allows the user to book an appointment.”

What data to collect?

• List the exact data fields you want.

• Use meaningful names (email, city, date) instead of random strings.

• Example: For an appointment, collect date, email, and reason.

What flow is triggered? (Optional)

• If needed, specify a flow to process the collected data.

• Example: Trigger an external request to a Weather API.

What is the output message?

• Define the result the user should see.

• Example: “Your booking was confirmed.”

• Important: AI will rewrite and send this message to the user.

✅ Best practice: Store the message in a custom text field and use that field as the output.

• ❌ Avoid sending it directly from the flow builder.

Example AI Functions

1. book_appointment

• Does: Allows the user to book an appointment.

• Data: date, email, reason

• Output: “You have successfully booked an appointment.”

2. connect_user_to_human

• Does: Allows the user to speak to a human agent.

• Flow: Triggers an Inbox Action that transfers the chat to a human.

• Output: “You are now connected to a human agent. We will get back to you soon.”

3. get_current_weather

• Does: Allows the user to check current weather.

• Data: city

• Flow: Connects to a Weather API.

• Output: {{data_from_api}}

4. join_email_list

• Does: Allows the user to subscribe to an email list.

• Data: email

• Output: “Success”

5. request_shipping_quote

• Does: Allows the user to request a shipping quote.

• Data: origin_address, destination_address, dimensions, weight

• Flow: Calculates a shipping quote.

• Output: {{quote}}

Enabling/Using AI Functions

After creating a function:

• Edit your AI Agent or AI Action.

• Enable the function so it can be called during conversations. Agent > AI Tools > Select the function you just created to link it to that agent.

Important Notes

• Your prompt can strongly influence how an AI function behaves.

• AI may try to fill in missing details automatically if the user doesn’t provide them. Example: For a restaurant booking, include in your prompt:

“It is crucial to ask the user for the date and number of guests when making a reservation.”

This ensures AI collects the right data before triggering the function.