Photo Courtesy: Bank of Baroda
Mumbai, April 8 (MExN): Bank of Baroda has launched ‘bob SAMVAD’, an AI-powered multilingual conversational platform aimed at transforming in-branch customer interactions and enhancing inclusive banking services.
The platform was formally launched by M Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, in Mumbai on March 28.
Described as an industry-first initiative, bob SAMVAD enables real-time, low-latency, two-way communication across 22 languages, allowing customers and bank staff to interact seamlessly in their preferred languages.
Nagaraju commended the bank for leveraging technology to bridge language barriers and improve customer experience, stating that the platform would promote more inclusive and accessible service delivery while strengthening customer service at branches.
He also visited ‘bob Forest’, a sustainability initiative by the bank, described as a 6,000 sq ft green space at its BKC office promoting biodiversity and cleaner air, alongside other initiatives such as green deposits and green bonds.
Commenting on the launch, Managing Director and CEO Debadatta Chand said the initiative reflects the bank’s commitment to operational excellence by combining advanced technology with customer-centric design.
Developed in-house, the platform uses AI-driven speech and language technologies to ensure contextual accuracy and natural fluency. It allows customers to speak or type queries, which are instantly translated for staff, with responses similarly converted, enabling smooth real-time interactions. The system also supports text display and optional voice output for accessibility.
In the first phase, bob SAMVAD will be deployed across 250 branches in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, followed by a phased rollout across the bank’s nationwide network.
