Since the invention of the web browser (the first has been developed in 1993: NCSA*s Mosaic is the predecessor of today's Firefox ), we're using graphical user interfaces (GUIs). Without GUIs, the Internet would never have achieved its success. GUIs are always the first choice when it comes to interacting with data.
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Thanks to AI, we are currently experiencing a paradigm shift.
GUIs are particularly effective in situations where everything runs according to plan. But what happens when unforeseen changes occur? This is exactly where chatbots shine with all the flexibility of voice-based interfaces.
Just like human interactions - they can be rarely planned. That's why we use chat interfaces that are very good at mapping spontaneous dialogues. And they have been doing so for much longer. Invented in the 1970s on mainframe computers, providers such as ICQ revolutionised the interface in the 1990s with the speech bubbles that are still present today. In the 2010s, chatting became mobile and, with Whatsapp, Telegram and iMessage, the second standard interface alongside the GUI.
Chatbots, on the other hand, are even older. The first was developed at MIT in the 1960s. ELIZA simulated simple conversations by using predefined text patterns to respond to user requests. It then took half a century for voice-based assistants such as Siri, Amazon, Alexa, Bixby, to become part of everyday life.
They were all united by the fact that their speech understanding was not sufficient to enable flexible and user-centred interactions. If users deviated from the stored commands, every conversation with the voice assistants ended abruptly.
This only changed with the emergence of Chat GPT at the end of 2022, which was the first publicly available chatbot that could truly understand natural language and solve complex tasks - without forcing the user into a pre-defined language corset. With Chat.GPT, conversations are possible just like with colleagues or friends.
The role of the chat interface in the success of Chat.GPT cannot be overemphasised. The constituent element is already in the name - without chat it would ‘only’ be a GPT. Only the chat interface enables seamless and intuitive interaction by voice. Requests are simply entered and answered immediately. No further application knowledge is required. Just say or write something and the bot responds.
Modern Chatbot Interfaces are multimodal - they combine text, graphics, voice and video
Talk to your data. With Chatbots.
An interface based on natural language lowers the barrier to entry for users, as no special technical knowledge is required. This greatly simplifies access to complex AI functions.
Another key factor is the flexibility of the chat interface, which allows users to ask questions in their own language and in their own way, without being restricted by predefined menus or input formats. This promotes a personalised user experience that adapts to users' individual needs and contexts.
The chat interface also helps to make interactions feel fluid and dynamic, which increases user confidence in the technology. When the interface is well designed, users are not only more satisfied, but also more engaged in the long term.
With the success of Chat.GPT, a new era of user interaction is emerging. They have the potential to replace traditional GUIs in many application areas and offer significant advantages. So when is it more efficient to talk to a bot instead of clicking through websites?
The advantages of chatbots over graphical interfaces
Natural interaction Chatbots are much closer to natural human communication. Instead of navigating through menus or operating forms, users articulate themselves in their own words. This reduces the cognitive load and makes interaction more intuitive - and faster.
The right priorities
A chatbot always delivers the most relevant information immediately, without the user having to find the right page or menu first. This is particularly useful in complex systems or applications with lots of functions or data.
Personalisation and context awareness
Chatbots can understand and use the context of previous interactions to personalise the user experience. If a user regularly asks certain questions or performs specific tasks, the bot can learn these preferences and proactively address them in future interactions. GUIs, on the other hand, often require the user to start from scratch each time.
Accessibility
As of May 2025, accessibility is not just a legal requirement, but a key competitive factor. Companies that integrate accessibility into their digital offerings will not only reach a larger target group, but also strengthen their brand reputation. GUIs will play a key role in creating personalised and inclusive user experiences. Companies that invest in accessibility solutions early on will benefit in the long term by both fulfilling legal requirements and improving customer loyalty.
Limits and challenges: Where GUIs still score
Precision and clarity Despite their advantages, chatbots are not without their challenges. Misunderstandings can occur if the bot does not understand exactly what the user means. It answers at length and many follow-up questions are necessary. Here, GUIs with clearly structured, visual elements often offer more security and satisfaction, especially for standardised tasks.
Minimising the cognitive load While chatbots excel at simple queries, complex tasks mean a higher cognitive load for users. GUIs offer the advantage here that they minimise the mental effort through visual cues and clear structures.
Aesthetics and user satisfaction GUIs often impress with their appealing visual design. They provide a clear overview of the available options and thus create a higher level of satisfaction among your customers, especially in simpler scenarios. Too much text can also be overwhelming.
The future: hybrid solutions for maximum impact
Why limit yourself to one or the other when you have the best of both worlds? We are convinced that the combination of chatbots with classic GUIs is the UX of the future. On the one hand, it provides visual clarity and the direct interaction of the GUI, while at the same time utilising the flexibility and user guidance of a chatbot.
Interfaces rendered in real time
The vision of next-generation AI chatbot interfaces opens up new possibilities: Each interface creates itself dynamically and individually for the user in real time. These AI-driven interfaces integrate all the elements that can be found on websites today, such as interactive graphics, navigation elements, personalised content and forms. Instead of navigating through static web pages, the user interacts with an intelligent chatbot that embeds visual and functional elements into the conversation, customised to the user's needs and context. The interface displays relevant diagrams, offers interactive options and seamlessly integrates content from various sources, creating a customised and immersive user experience. This vision revolutionises the way people interact with digital content, making access to information and services more intuitive and personal than ever before.
Soon a reality: Live rendered user interfaces become possible.
Conclusion
One of the many ways user interfaces will definitely be dynamic, AI-driven chatbot interfaces that offer personalised experiences tailored to each user. With the integration of visual and functional elements directly into the conversation, these interfaces create a seamless and personalised interaction that goes far beyond the possibilities of static websites. In the coming years, such technologies will fundamentally change the way we interact with digital content and services.
Companies that are early adopters of ‘Chat GUI’ will not only improve the user experience, but also define new standards for efficiency and interaction in the digital world.
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