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PATRICKSISON—THEASSOCIATEDPRESS The icons for Microso 's Skype and Facebook's Messenger apps are displayed on a smartphone in New York. ByBrandonBailey The Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO The ro- bots are coming — to help run your life or sell you stuff — at an online texting ser- vice near you. In coming months, us- ers of Facebook's Messen- ger app, Microsoft's Skype and Canada's Kik can ex- pect to find new automated assistants offering informa- tion and services at a vari- ety of businesses. These messaging "chatbots" are basically software that can conduct human-like con- versation and do simple jobs once reserved for peo- ple. Google and other com- panies are reportedly work- ing on similar ideas. In Asia, software butlers are already part of the land- scape. When Washington, D.C., attorney Samantha Guo visited China recently, the 32-year-old said she was amazed at how extensively her friends used bots and similar technology on the texting service WeChat to pay for meals, order movie tickets and even send each other gifts. "It was mind-blowing," Guo said. U.S. services lag way behind, she added. Online messaging has be- come routine for most peo- ple, offering more immedi- acy than email or voice calls, said Michael Wolf, a media and technology consultant. Messaging services are now growing faster than tradi- tionalonlinesocialplatforms such as Facebook or Twit- ter, according to research by Wolf's firm, Activate. And experts say messag- ing bots can handle a wider range of tasks than apps of- fered by retailers and other consumer businesses. In part, that's because bots can recognizeavarietyofspoken ortypedphrases,whereapps force users to choose from options on a drop-down menu. Reaching a chatbot canbeassimpleasclickinga link in an online ad or scan- ning a boxy bar code with a smartphone camera. "Bots are the new apps," MicrosoftCEOSatyaNadella said last month. Microsoft has just created new pro- gramming tools for busi- nesses to build bots that will interact with custom- ers on Skype, the Microsoft- owned Internet voice, video and messaging service. Facebook is widely ex- pected to unveil simi- lar tools for its Messenger chat service at the compa- ny's annual software con- ference starting Tuesday. It's already partnered with a few online retailers and transportation companies so consumers can use Mes- senger to check the status of a clothing purchase from online retailer Zulily, order car service from Uber or get a boarding pass from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. At those services, au- tomated chatbots handle some interactions, with su- pervision from human op- erators. Similarly, Face- book has been testing a digital assistant called "M" — sort of like Apple's Siri or Microsoft's Cortana — that can answer questions or perform tasks like order- ing flowers in response to commands on Messenger. It uses a combination of arti- ficial intelligence and input from human overseers. Whyyoumightsoontext robots as o en as friends TECHNOLOGY By Jonathan Drew The Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. Hundreds rallied Monday to defend a North Carolina law lim- iting protections for les- bians, gays and transgen- der people, using cheers and a booming public ad- dress system to drown out a smaller counter-protest across the street. About 500 gathered on the grounds of the old Cap- itol in the largest demon- stration yet by supporters of the law, seeking to strike back after more than two weeks of negative public- ity along with condemna- tion from business leaders and other public figures. Signs reading "No Men in Women's Bathrooms" highlighted a single provi- sion of the multifaceted law that has served as a major rallying point for conserva- tives: a measure requiring transgender people to use the bathroom correspond- ing to the sex listed on their birth certificate. Rally attendee June House said she believes people should use the bath- rooms and locker rooms corresponding with their gender at birth. The issue is important to the Fay- etteville resident because she ran a fitness center be- fore retiring and continues to swim frequently at an- other gym. "When I come out of the shower, it's a semi-nude situation. I think modesty and safety are not what they should be if cross- dressers are in there," she said. On a nearby sidewalk, nearly 100 people gath- ered in a counter protest, holding signs such as "Big- otry is Bad for Business" and chanting: "They are up there preaching hate! They do not represent our state!" The chants were overwhelmed by the larger group. The dueling demon- strations reflected a fer- vor that's expected to keep the debate stoked through the legislative session later this month — and likely through fall elections that include a closely contested governor's race. Opponents of the law including the Rev. William Barber, president of North Carolina's NAACP branch, have threatened civil dis- obedience when the leg- islative session starts on April 25 if the law isn't re- pealed. Those who support the law are also planning a rally outside the legisla- ture that day, said Mark Creech of the Christian Ac- tion League. Creech told the crowd at his rally that a "smear cam- paign" has been deployed against a law that protects small business owners who want to follow their reli- gious beliefs. He said women and chil- dren must be protected from predators who would use antidiscrimination measures as a pretense to enter the wrong restroom. The state law was passed after Charlotte adopted a non-discrimination ordi- nance allowing transgen- der people to use public re- strooms in line with their gender identity. The North Carolina law overrules LGBT anti- discrimination measures passed by local govern- ments. It also excludes sex- ual orientation and gender identity from the state's an- tidiscrimination policy and prevents people from fil- ing employment discrimi- nation lawsuits in state courts. NORTH CAROLINA Dueling rallies held over LGBT rights law GERRY BROOME — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Supporters of House Bill 2gather outside the North Carolina State Capitol in Raleigh, N.C., on Monday during a rally in support of a law that blocks rules allowing transgender people to use the bathroom aligned with their gender identity. 530-526-9887 645 Antelope Blvd. • Suite 8 Red Bluff, Ca 96080 www.countrycaninedayspa.com info@countrycaninedayspa.com Professional Groomer for 10 years, serving Tehama County and surrounding areas Country Canine Luxury Day Spa We care for the whole dog TheDarkside 840 Main St. Red Bluff CA 530-527-9700 2032 Pine St. Redding CA 530-246-1773 Darkside The 30% OFF STOREWIDE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20 TH ONLY. 420 All prices plus sales tax, license fees, doc fees, any finance charge, any dealer preparation charge, any emission charge, any documentation preparation charge, any smog fees and any tire fees. all vehicles subject to prior sale & credit approval. 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