Summary
The Wati AI Assist node helps you collect and save a customer's information as a contact attribute during a chatbot conversation. You can use it to collect details such as an email address, phone number, or custom information like a delivery pincode or booking reference.
This guide explains how to add the AI Assist node to a chatbot, configure it, and handle the collected information.
Note: We're rolling out this feature in phases. If you don't see it yet, it will be enabled for your account soon. If you'd like to enable the feature sooner, contact our Support team for assistance.
Instructions
What is the Wati AI Assist node?
The Wati AI Assist node uses AI to collect 1 contact attribute from a customer during a conversation and save the answer in a variable.
Unlike a standard Question node, AI Assist can collect information through a more natural conversation, making it useful when you want to collect details without relying on a fixed question format.
Common use cases
You can use the Wati AI Assist node to collect information such as:
Email address: Collect a customer's email address before sending an order confirmation, invoice, or newsletter sign-up.
Phone number: Collect a customer's WhatsApp number when they contact you on Instagram or Facebook Messenger so you can continue the conversation on WhatsApp or add them to a WhatsApp broadcast list.
Custom information: Collect business-specific details such as a delivery pincode, booking reference, or product preference.
Requirements and limitations
Plan and channel availability
The Wati AI Assist node is available on the Pro and Business plan.
You can use the node on the following channels:
WhatsApp
Instagram
Facebook Messenger
Node limits
Each chatbot supports a maximum of 2 Wati AI Assist nodes. Each node can collect only 1 contact attribute.
This means you can collect up to 2 contact attributes per chatbot using Wati AI Assist.
After you add 2 AI Assist nodes, the option to add another node becomes unavailable. Wati displays the following message:
This flow already has 2 AI Assist nodes, the limit per flow. Remove one to add another.
Note: The limit of 2 nodes applies only to Wati AI Assist. You can add as many Astra AI Agent or Custom AI Agent nodes as needed.
How to add the Wati AI Assist node
Open your chatbot in the flow builder.
In the left panel, click Use an AI Node.
Select Wati AI Assist and drag it onto the canvas.
How to configure the Wati AI Assist node
After adding the node, configure the fields to define what information you want to collect and where to save the customer's answer.
Field | Description | Limit |
What should this collect? | Select the type of information to collect: Collect phone number, Collect email, or Collect custom variable. | — |
Description | Specify what information you want to collect. This field appears only when you select Collect custom variable and is required. | 200 characters |
Prompt | Optionally provide instructions on how the AI should ask for the information and any validation requirements. This field is available for all 3 collection types. | 500 characters |
Save answer in a variable | Enter the variable name where the collected answer will be stored. Spaces in the name are replaced with underscores. | — |
Examples of prompts
You can use the Prompt field to guide the AI node on how to collect information and what checks to apply.
For example:
For a delivery pincode: "The pincode must be exactly 6 digits."
For an email address: Provide instructions on how the AI should ask the customer for their email address.
For a phone number: Specify how the AI should ask the customer for their phone number.
What happens after the AI Assist node runs?
The Wati AI Assist node has 2 output paths: Success and Failure. Connect both paths to the appropriate nodes in your chatbot flow.
Success
The Success path runs when the node successfully collects the requested information.
The collected answer is saved in the configured variable, which you can use in subsequent chatbot steps.
Failure
The Failure path runs when the customer refuses to provide the information, stops responding, or the conversation takes too long.
If the node fails to collect the information, the configured variable remains empty.
Important: If you leave the Failure path unconnected, the chatbot conversation stops at that node.
Where to place the Wati AI Assist node
You can place the Wati AI Assist node anywhere in your chatbot flow, including as the first node.
Troubleshooting
The Wati AI Assist node is not available on my plan
The Wati AI Assist node is available only on the Pro and Business plans. If you are on the Growth plan, you will not see this node.
The Wati AI Assist node is not available on my Pro plan
If you are on the Pro plan or above but cannot see the Wati AI Assist node, the feature may not be enabled for your account. Contact Wati support for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Overview
1. What is the Wati AI Assist node?
The Wati AI Assist node uses AI to collect one contact attribute from a customer during a chatbot conversation and save the answer in a variable. It collects information through a natural conversation instead of relying on a fixed question format.
2. What information can the Wati AI Assist node collect?
The Wati AI Assist node can collect the following types of information:
Email address: To send order confirmations, invoices, or newsletter sign-up information.
Phone number: To collect a customer's WhatsApp number when they contact you on Instagram or Facebook Messenger.
Custom information: Business-specific details such as a delivery pincode, booking reference, or product preference.
Availability and Limitations
3. Which plans and channels support the Wati AI Assist node?
The Wati AI Assist node is available on the Pro and Business plans and supports the following channels:
WhatsApp
Instagram
Facebook Messenger
The Wati AI Assist node is not available on the Growth plan.
4. How many Wati AI Assist nodes can I add to a chatbot?
You can add a maximum of 2 Wati AI Assist nodes to each chatbot. Each node collects one contact attribute, allowing you to collect up to 2 contact attributes per chatbot using Wati AI Assist.
The limit applies only to Wati AI Assist nodes. You can add as many Astra AI Agent or Custom AI Agent nodes as needed.
Configuration and Usage
5. Where can I place the Wati AI Assist node, and how can I use the collected information?
You can place the Wati AI Assist node anywhere in your chatbot flow, including as the first node.
The collected answer is saved in the configured variable, which you can use in subsequent chatbot steps.
Output Paths and Troubleshooting
6. What happens when the Wati AI Assist node succeeds or fails?
The Wati AI Assist node has two output paths:
Success: Runs when the node successfully collects the requested information. The answer is saved in the configured variable.
Failure: Runs when the customer refuses to provide the information, stops responding, or the conversation takes too long. The configured variable remains empty.
Connect both paths to the appropriate nodes in your chatbot flow. If the Failure path is left unconnected, the chatbot conversation stops at that node.
If you cannot see the Wati AI Assist node on your Pro plan or above, the feature may not be enabled for your account. Contact Wati support for assistance.