Building for AI: Preparing Your Services for the Conversational Future

Remember when you first started using Google to find information online? It felt revolutionary. We are witnessing another shift right now with AI assistants like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini changing how we interact with services. ChatGPT came out in November 2022 and has quickly transformed how millions find answers. I have seen this firsthand, not only do I rely heavily on it, but now even my family, who are not particularly tech-savvy, use AI for everyday tasks.

Studies show that fewer people are using traditional search engines for their queries, opting instead for conversational interactions with AI assistants. I have noticed myself barely using Google at all these days. For nearly everything I think about, I simply ask ChatGPT. Even when I ask seemingly silly questions, I still get thoughtful answers. Thanks to AI, my curiosity has led me to learn so much in the past two years. This shift makes it crucial to start building websites and digital services tailored for AI. Users today want direct answers, quick actions, and personalized interactions without navigating complex websites. By enabling integration with AI assistants like ChatGPT and Claude directly into your services, you can significantly reduce friction and enhance accessibility. Tasks such as booking appointments, scheduling meetings, obtaining detailed information, filling out forms, or completing applications can become simpler and quicker.

To simplify AI integration, we have something called the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Think of MCP as a standard port, similar to USB-C, that helps AI assistants like ChatGPT and Claude connect directly to your website or app data. This makes it easy for people to complete tasks like booking Airbnb stays, scheduling an appointment, or searching flights through simple conversations. Here’s a personal example: recently, I needed to create a music playlist for a special event. Instead of manually searching and adding songs, I chatted with Claude, explained the event and music style, and let it suggest songs. I picked some, rejected others, and in a couple of minutes, I had the perfect playlist. The key was that Claude, thanks to MCP, directly added those songs to my YouTube Music playlist. Another common scenario is filling out application forms, like student loans. Forms often create confusion because people interpret questions differently based on their cultural backgrounds. AI assistants understand context, translate languages seamlessly, and help users complete forms accurately without misunderstandings.

Looking ahead, AI interactions will become even more seamless. Imagine booking a haircut by just telling your AI assistant your barber’s name and preferred days. Your assistant checks your calendar, talks directly to your barber’s scheduling service via MCP, finds suitable time slots, and books your appointment after your approval. All done through a brief conversation. Companies that embrace AI integrations early will stand out from competitors by offering smoother, faster, and more personalized experiences. This is not just about keeping up, it’s about getting ahead.

At zu, we have spent the past 30 years building meaningful, user-first experiences. Now, we are helping clients build for this new AI-powered landscape. Whether it’s optimizing your website so AI assistants easily find your content, creating user-friendly chatbots, or developing MCP tools, we are ready to help.

Ready to step into the conversational future? Talk to us at zu—we are experts at making your services AI-ready.