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AI-Driven Customer Experience Solutions Gaining Traction Among Startups

AI-Driven Customer Experience Solutions Gaining Traction Among Startups

Customer experience (CX) is a crucial factor that determines long-term business success.
Statistics show that CX has a significant impact on customer loyalty and overall satisfaction. In fact, 86% of consumers are willing to pay more for a great customer experience and 73% of them say that CX has a major impact on their purchasing decisions.
For startups, this means that providing a great CX is essential. AI can help them achieve this goal.
No matter if it's excellence in customer service, fine-tuned analytics, or nuanced personalization, AI has the capacity to help startups take their CX to the next level. In fact, some predictions say that AI will handle as much as 40% of all customer service issues by 2027.
Here are four platforms that can be instrumental in reaching this target. Nextiva
To begin with, there is Nextiva , a market leader in customer experience solutions. Nextiva is a US-based Unified Communications provider that allows businesses to centralize all their internal and customer-facing channels of communication - from voice and video calls to messaging and live chat. This helps startups streamline their communication workflows, avoid friction losses, and provide maximum flexibility and support to any customer reaching out to them.
Going further, Nextiva also offers a wide array of AI-powered tools that allow startups to level up their communications. These include functionalities based on natural language processing (NLP) such as interactive voice response (IVR), automatic voicemail, call transcripts, and meeting summaries. Nextiva's advanced IVR, featuring conversational AI, for example, eliminates the need for customers to endure an endless series of dial menus. Instead, they can express their query in their own words and get forwarded to the right agent to deal with it, or resolve it directly with AI help.
Additionally, customer service agents have access to real-time analytics and sentiment analysis, as well as an AI assistant to support them during challenging customer conversations. Zendesk
Another tool to help startups improve their overall customer experience is Zendesk, a cloud-based customer service platform.
Zendesk is a notable tool in the customer service sector, offering a wide range of functionalities, including a helpdesk, email marketing, live chat, and customer engagement solutions.
Plus, Zendesk's AI capabilities are custom-tailored to help businesses, including startups, build better and longer-lasting relationships with their customers. Zendesk boasts that its AI tools help businesses automate over 80% of their interactions, allowing customers to resolve issues autonomously and save time at scale.
Zendesk also offers Copilot, an AI productivity assistant that can provide real-time insights, propose replies during conversions, and handle a range of actions approved by agents. ProProfs Chat
One of the most best-known applications of AI in CX are chatbots. They can handle routine customer interactions, allowing human agents to focus on complex issues. They are also able to provide instant responses even outside of normal business hours.
However, in order to be effective, chatbots need to be well-trained. Otherwise, they can easily trigger frustration and waste customers' time.
ProProfs Chat offers an easy and intuitive solution for startups to train custom chatbots that align perfectly with their brand's voice and values. No coding skills required.
A key advantage of ProProfs Chat is that the platform integrates seamlessly with widely-used e-commerce and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms. This is a major asset in avoiding data siloing and friction losses.
Apart from helping businesses harness well-trained chatbots, ProProfs Chat also allows them to provide better chat options with human agents. Its AI tools boost productivity and help provide a better customer experience - from automated greetings, to proactive chat invitations, to intelligent chat routing. UserTesting
Finally, for startups looking to get direct feedback from their customers in order to improve CX, UserTesting offers streamlined paths towards making data-driven decisions to elevate their products and services.
UserTesting allows startups to explore how customers engage with their products and services, and gather invaluable insights. From getting diverse perspectives and comprehensive user feedback, to sharing results as highlight reels and clips, this platform offers businesses ways of better understanding their target audience and customer base.
In terms of AI, UserTesting stands out through its extensive analytics and visualization capabilities. Startups are instantly provided with an AI insight summary that unearths the most important trends and patterns and offers starting points for manual analysis. Going further, UserTesting also leverages AI for advanced analysis of written survey responses, for instance through theme grouping.
Finally, UserTesting's AI can also automatically identify customer friction points and conduct real-time sentiment analysis, helping startups pinpoint exactly where resources need to be invested to instantly improve CX. Conclusion
Improving customer experience is an integral part of startup success. Choosing the right tools can help businesses reach this goal and increase their overall efficiency.
Which tool best suits each startup's unique needs and budget varies, but platforms like Nextiva, Zendesk, ProProfs Chat, and UserTesting are invaluable when it comes to delivering a personalized customer experience and building loyalty. AI Artificial intelligence
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Why are the US and Pakistan making an oil deal? – DW – 08/01/2025
Why are the US and Pakistan making an oil deal? – DW – 08/01/2025

DW

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Why are the US and Pakistan making an oil deal? – DW – 08/01/2025

Pakistan is not known to have "massive" oil reserves like those lauded by Donald Trump. But by expanding agreements on trade, and energy, Washington and Islamabad are laying the groundwork for closer geopolitical ties. US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a new agreement for the joint development of Pakistan's oil reserves, as both countries work on expanding trade and economic ties. "We have just concluded a deal with the country of Pakistan, whereby Pakistan and the United States will work together on developing their massive oil reserves," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. It wasn't immediately clear what "massive" oil reserves Trump was referring to. Oil is Pakistan's largest import item, accounting for nearly 20% of Pakistan's total import bill, according to central bank data. Most of that oil comes from the Middle East. Nevertheless, Trump's called the deal "a significant beginning" to a potential long-term energy partnership. The energy partnership was unveiled by Trump before the White House on Thursday announced a broader trade agreement with Pakistan, and soon thereafter a 19% tariff rate on Pakistani imports to the US. This is lower than the previous rate of 29% Both countries also hailed the US-Pakistan trade agreement. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called it a "landmark deal" that would "enhance our growing cooperation." The Finance Ministry said the deal marked the "beginning of a new era of economic collaboration especially in energy, mines and minerals, IT, cryptocurrency and other sectors," On Friday, Pakistan welcomed the new, lowered, tariff rate, with the Finance Ministry calling it a " balanced and forward-looking approach" from the US. "This development marks an intriguing shift in Pakistan–US relations; from a traditionally geopolitical and strategic partnership toward a more economically focused cooperation," Azeem Khalid, a New York based international affairs expert, told DW. Pakistan's tariff rate is also lower than the 25% imposed on arch-rival neighbor India. In announcing the oil deal, Trump took a jab at New Delhi, quipping that India could one day buy Pakistani oil. "Who knows, maybe they'll be selling oil to India someday!" To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video However, it seems that as of now, oil is flowing in the opposite direction. On Friday, Reuters news agency reported that Pakistan's largest oil refiner, Cnergyico, said it would import 1 million barrels of US crude oil in October via its trading partner, Vitol, a Dutch energy and commodity trading company. "If it is commercially viable and available, we could import at least one cargo per month," Cnergyico's Vice Chairman Usama Qureshi told Reuters. As for Pakistani oil, before this deal, Pakistan made several unsuccessful attempts at offshore exploration in the offshore Indus basin. Estimates of Pakistan's proven recoverable conventional crude oil reserves range from 234 million to 353 million barrels, positioning the country approximately 50th in the world in terms of oil reserves. Untapped oil reserves are believed to be located in Balochistan, with additional prospects in Sindh, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. As the center of an armed insurgent movement that frequently carries out attacks, developing resources in Balochistan presents security problems. Baloch insurgents perceive resource extraction as a form of economic exploitation by Pakistan's federal government and frequently target these kind of projects with attacks. According to trade law expert Osama Malik, extraction of oil from Balochistan could further alienate a population that is already disgruntled at the exploration of the province's mineral resources by China. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Experts have expressed cautious optimism about the recent deal, as it may attract investment, introduce advanced extraction technologies, and facilitate new field surveys. However, actual extraction of petroleum products remains uncertain without confirmed reserves and the necessary infrastructure in place. "When American companies establish a presence in Balochistan, it is anticipated that the insurgency will not be at its peak," Qamar Cheema, a security analyst, told DW. "As support for these groups diminishes it will lead to a reduction or potential elimination of the insurgency," he added. The US has strategic interests in Balochistan due to its proximity to Iran and Afghanistan. "Washington is focused on establishing a presence in Balochistan, which is rich in minerals and holds significant strategic value due to its proximity to Iran," Cheema said. 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Yet, considering the historical depth of Pakistan–China relations, this situation may serve as a diplomatic bridge rather than a point of contention," said international affairs expert Azeem Khalid. Security expert Cheema, believes Pakistan relies on China for military equipment and on the United States for macroeconomic stability, particularly through the IMF. "This deal is likely to strengthen the economic partnership between Pakistan and the US. Additionally, the US seeks to establish an alternative ally in the region other than India," said Cheema.

Nvidia Says No 'Backdoors' In Chips As China Questions Security
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