New Delhi, April 7 (IANS). State-owned Bank of Baroda on Tuesday launched AI multilingual chatbot ‘Bob Samvad’ and will enable its customers to avail banking facilities in 22 languages.
The AI platform was formally launched by M. Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, in Mumbai on March 28.
Calling it a step towards inclusive banking, Nagaraju said the initiative will strengthen customer service delivery and set a new benchmark in the sector through the use of technology.
The platform is designed to overcome language barriers by enabling seamless communication between customers and bank employees in their preferred languages.
‘Bob Samvad’, developed internally by the Bank, enables real-time, low latency and two-way communication in 22 languages, allowing customers and employees to interact seamlessly even when they speak different languages.
The platform supports both text and voice modes, allowing customers to speak or type queries in their preferred language, which are instantly translated for branch staff, ensuring accurate and efficient service.
Speaking at the launch, the bank’s Managing Director and CEO Debdutta Chand said the initiative reflects the bank’s goal of combining technology with customer-centric design, to make branches more inclusive and accessible.
In the first phase, the platform will be rolled out in 250 branches across states including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, followed by wider expansion across the bank’s network.
The Financial Services Secretary also visited a sustainable development initiative named ‘Bob Forest’ at the Bank’s Mumbai office, which aims to promote biodiversity and clean air as part of broader Environment, Social, Development (ESG) efforts.
Earlier in February, the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, had organized a two-day workshop at the Bank of Baroda Academy, Ahmedabad on implementation of the reservation policy of the Government in public sector banks, insurance companies, regional regulators and public financial institutions and measures to increase accessibility of financial services for Divyangjan (Persons with Disabilities).
–IANS
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