Forrester Unveils Chat-Based AI Query System

Technology markets research and consulting group Forrester has launched an AI tool called Izola, allowing users to query its knowledge base and receive 'a clear, synthesized answer' via a chat interface.

The tool will be rolled out from a current select user base to all the company's clients, in the next few weeks. Forrester says it is working on many other generative AI initiatives and developed Izola in-house using open-source technologies. The tool rapidly scans 'hundreds of thousands' of pages of Forrester research and blogs when a question is asked, and generates an answer in the form of a paragraph, bullet points or sequential steps, with links to the source materials appearing below for further investigation. The company says it enables clients 'to get a jumpstart on their top priorities and have more informed conversations with Forrester experts who apply and contextualize Forrester insights to their business-critical initiatives'.

Chief Product Officer Carrie Johnson (pictured) comments, 'This is another golden age for research. The way to avoid coherent nonsense in genAI output is through rigorous data and analysis going in. That's exactly what Forrester does: rigorous data collection and analysis. Along with speed and self-service, Izola offers dependability and trust since the answers are based on vetted research. Forrester accelerated the development of this tool to seize the AI moment and help our clients discover insights quickly. We view this as a co-creation moment with our clients and have already received much positive feedback'.

Forrester surveys more than 700,000 consumers, business leaders and technology leaders worldwide each year, and receives 100 million real-time feedback votes. The firm is online at www.forrester.com .