Microsoft has introduced NLWeb, an innovative open project aimed at simplifying the creation of AI-driven chatbots on the web. Announced during Build 2025, NLWeb provides websites with a “conversational interface” that includes a text input field and submission button, requiring only a few lines of code, an AI model, and custom data. For instance, retailers can deploy chatbots to assist customers in selecting clothing for holidays, while cooking websites can generate bots to recommend complementary dishes for various recipes.
Furthermore, NLWeb allows web content to be discoverable and accessible to AI platforms compatible with MCP, which is Anthropic’s standard for integrating AI models with data systems. Microsoft emphasizes that NLWeb could fulfil a similar role to HTML, facilitating direct interactions with web content and enhancing user engagement in a rich, semantic way.
Although specific details regarding the origin of NLWeb are unclear, reports suggest it may be related to technology developed by OpenAI, a close partner of Microsoft. Last year, The Information revealed that OpenAI had collaborated with various partners, including Condé Nast and Redfin, on an earlier iteration of NLWeb, which aimed to bring conversational capabilities akin to ChatGPT to brand websites. However, the project encountered technical challenges that delayed its rollout.
Months down the line, NLWeb appears to be fully operational, although potentially differing from OpenAI’s initial concepts. This development signals a shift towards more interactive and engaging web experiences, paving the way for businesses to enhance user interaction through tailored AI chat solutions.
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