Ingenico Group launched a messaging chatbot that uses artificial intelligence from IBM Watson to help merchants conduct payment transactions with customers, according to a company announcement.

The chatbot, created under a collaboration with JoinedApp, a Palo Alto, California-based startup that Ingenico owns a stake in, allows customers to make payments through the app’s secure payment API.

Ingenico officials said the chatbot function is considered ideal for interacting with customers in the retail, travel, hospitality or leisure spaces. The app can be used 24 hours a day, weekdays or weekends.

The AI function uses natural language processing to better understand the user’s needs and can communicate in a variety of languages. The chatbot is currently available internationally and is showing five times better conversion rates than traditional mobile apps, according to the company. 

The company has several implementations live in several industries, including telco, hospitality, newspaper and other industries, including retail and travel, in development.

"We’re seeing great success in these initial pilots so far, hence why we continue to invest in this project and why we wanted to expand the capabilities of our chatbots with the IBM Watson technology," said Gertjan Dewaele, product innovation manager at Ingenico.