Knowbot

A Knowbot (short for "Knowledge Robot") is a software agent designed to intelligently search, retrieve, and manage information from diverse sources. These agents are typically autonomous and proactive, operating independently to fulfill a user's information needs. They often employ techniques from artificial intelligence, such as natural language processing and machine learning, to understand queries, filter irrelevant data, and adapt to changing information landscapes.

Knowbots differ from simple search engines by their ability to personalize the search process, learn user preferences, and actively seek out information that aligns with those preferences. They may also possess the ability to reason about the information they find, infer relationships between different data points, and present the results in a summarized or synthesized form. The term "Knowbot" is not as widely used today as terms like "intelligent agent" or "information retrieval agent," but it represents a conceptual precursor to many modern AI-powered search and information management tools. Early applications included personalized news aggregation, automated competitive intelligence gathering, and intelligent email filtering.