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What are AI Assistants?

AI assistants are intelligent conversational agents that can understand user queries, access relevant information, and provide helpful responses. In IllumiChat, AI assistants combine the power of large language models with your custom knowledge base to create specialized, domain-specific helpers.

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How IllumiChat Assistants Work

1

User sends a message

A user interacts with your assistant through chat, API, or embedded widget.
2

Assistant processes the query

The assistant analyzes the user’s intent and determines what information is needed.
3

Knowledge base search

The assistant searches your uploaded knowledge base for relevant information.
4

Response generation

Using the found information and AI capabilities, the assistant generates a helpful response.
5

User receives answer

The assistant delivers a contextual, accurate response to the user.

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Key Components of an AI Assistant

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Personality & Behavior

Your assistant’s personality determines how it communicates with users:
  • Tone: Professional, friendly, casual, or formal
  • Style: Conversational, direct, or detailed
  • Expertise: Domain-specific knowledge and capabilities
  • Limitations: What the assistant can and cannot do
Professional Assistant: “I can help you with technical support questions. Please provide your account details so I can assist you effectively.”Friendly Assistant: “Hey there! I’m here to help with any questions you might have. What can I do for you today?”

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Knowledge Base

The knowledge base is the foundation of your assistant’s expertise:
  • Documents: PDFs, Word docs, text files
  • Web Content: Crawled websites and online resources
  • Custom Entries: Manually created knowledge snippets
  • Structured Data: Organized information for easy retrieval
A well-organized knowledge base with clear, accurate information will make your assistant much more effective.

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Integrations

MCP (Model Context Protocol) integrations extend your assistant’s capabilities:
  • HubSpot: Access customer data and CRM information
  • Jira: Retrieve project and ticket information
  • Custom APIs: Connect to your own systems and data sources

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Best Practices for AI Assistants

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1. Define Clear Scope

Don’t try to make your assistant do everything. Focus on specific use cases and domains.
  • Identify the primary purpose of your assistant
  • Define what it can and cannot help with
  • Set clear expectations for users

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2. Provide Quality Knowledge

  • Upload accurate, up-to-date information
  • Organize content logically
  • Include examples and use cases
  • Regular updates and maintenance

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3. Test Thoroughly

  • Test with real user scenarios
  • Identify edge cases and limitations
  • Refine responses based on feedback
  • Monitor performance and usage

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4. Set Appropriate Boundaries

  • Be clear about limitations
  • Provide escalation paths for complex issues
  • Include disclaimers when necessary
  • Respect privacy and security requirements

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Common Use Cases

Customer Support

Handle common customer inquiries, provide product information, and escalate complex issues.

Sales Enablement

Help sales teams with product details, pricing, and lead qualification.

Internal Knowledge

Provide employees with access to company policies, procedures, and documentation.

E-commerce

Assist customers with product selection, order status, and purchase decisions.

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Next Steps

Now that you understand AI assistants, learn how to:

Create Your First Assistant

Step-by-step guide to building your first AI assistant.

Knowledge Base Setup

Learn how to organize and upload your knowledge content.

MCP Integrations

Connect your assistant to external tools and data sources.

Advanced Configuration

Fine-tune your assistant’s behavior and capabilities.