The future of sales? These AI agents offer 24/7 ABC energy for SMBs [Video]

Every company you interact with likely uses artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots at some level — usually to handle your customer service issue, answer questions about a product, or help guide you through an FAQ log. Palona AI wants to take that approach further: turning those chatbots into professional-grade AI sales agents who double as charming brand mascots. 

Also: AI agents may soon surpass people as primary application users

The startup, which officially launched Thursday, aims to give small businesses like pizza shops and wellness centers the power of consumer-facing human sales experts, which they likely can’t afford. Palona “onboards” or trains the agent using your business’ knowledge base, including employee manuals, company policies, and existing FAQs. 

The goal is to create what the company calls a highly customized “AI character” that proactively engages with customers in the company’s voice, using its guidelines as personality traits. Available for web, iOS, and Android, Palona agents are built into a …