next it logoThe world of chatbots is growing quickly. Microsoft and Facebook both have frameworks to let third parties build bots into their chat services. But the artificial intelligence behind them is still pretty basic. Next IT could provide the next step in better bots with a new round of funding.

According to a filing with the SEC, Next IT is raising a $10 million round and is already $5.3 million of the way there. The company declined to comment or confirm details of the filing.

Spokane, Wash.-based Next IT may be behind bots that you’ve already chatted with. The company helped build “Jenn” at Alaska Airlines, along with virtual help desk attendants at Expedia and the U.S. Army. The company also provides automated help in the workplace with IT and sales support.

Last year, the company launched an API to bring its AI assistants to more devices. The new round of funding could help that company get more developers using that API while they build up bots for budding platforms.

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