v2.1.6+Communication channels for AI agent chatbots

Communication channels are external messaging platform integrations that enable an AI agent chatbot to receive and send messages through third-party services managed by the Event Manager.

Prerequisites

Before adding an external messaging channel to an AI agent configuration, verify the following conditions:

  • The target AI agent must be configured as a chatbot. Set the Published as Chatbot option to enabled in the General Information section of the AI agent definition.
  • The destination platform target must be completely provisioned and active on the external communication platform side before you register it in HCL Universal Orchestrator.

Authentication and session lifecycle

To preserve enterprise data boundaries, HCL Universal Orchestrator AI agents require interactive identity verification upon first contact through an external channel:

  1. Initial access trigger: When you send a message to the external communication platform endpoint for the first time, the AI agent generates a personalized authentication link.
  2. Identity verification: Open the secure link, which routes you to the HCL Universal Orchestrator authentication provider login portal.
  3. Session establishment: Upon entering valid credentials, your identity is correlated to the external communication platform chat handle. The authentication token remains valid for 30 days. After this period lapses, the AI agent issues a new verification link on the channel.