Microsoft has introduced NLWeb, an open initiative designed to simplify the integration of AI-driven chatbots for websites. Presented during Build 2025, NLWeb allows web developers to embed a conversational interface using minimal code, enabling flexibility with both the choice of AI models and custom data sources.
With conversational AI integration, businesses can enhance their user experience by adding tailored chatbot solutions to their sites. Whether helping shoppers select outfits or advising home cooks on meal pairings, the technology adapts to various needs.
How NLWeb Connects AI Models to the Web
Developers using NLWeb can also choose to make their site content readily accessible to AI platforms that support the MCP standard, a bridge protocol championed by Anthropic. This integration ensures that AI models can engage more deeply with real-time website data.
Microsoft envisions NLWeb as performing a foundational role, similar to that of HTML, in shaping the evolution of interactive internet experiences. By providing a semantic, rich interface, the framework allows users to directly engage with web content in intuitive ways.
Although not officially confirmed, the roots of NLWeb might trace back to collaborations with OpenAI, one of Microsoft’s prominent partners. Previous reports indicated OpenAI worked with several major brands on prototype versions designed to add conversational AI features to their platforms.
Early efforts to bring this technology to market faced delays due to significant technical challenges. However, with its formal release, NLWeb appears poised to provide a streamlined and powerful tool for website owners to embrace conversational AI.
As Microsoft unveils NLWeb, the landscape of online engagement could shift toward even more personalized, intelligent web experiences. The new framework opens possibilities for brands to innovate and stand out through smarter interactions with their audiences.
