PIONEER INTRODUCES "FINANCIAL CYBER GUIDES SM"
Computer-Generated Robots Use Natural Language to Converse with Users
Boston - Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. announced today the launch of a
new website featuring next generation artificial intelligence. Pioneer is
the first mutual fund company to introduce computer-generated robots, or
"Financial CyberGuides SM," who use "natural language," or human language
(the way you speak or write a letter), to help visitors navigate, learn
investment basics and understand what it is like to work with an investment
professional.
The site, www.pioneerfunds.com, features three animated CyberGuides: Janet, Logan and Keith, who each provide a unique and personalized experience to
shareholders and investment professionals visiting the site. Janet and Logan
reside on Pioneer's public site, while Keith is available only to financial
intermediaries.
"True to its name, Pioneer is the first in our industry to provide such
innovative capabilities to address the needs of shareholders and business
partners," says David Tripple, president of Pioneer Investment Management,
Inc. "Coupled with our full family of mutual funds and strong customer
service, our new site allows us to gain a leading edge in this competitive
marketplace."
"With the introduction of Pioneer's CyberGuides, we are raising the bar in
providing quality on-line interaction by greatly enhancing the user
experience," said Iang Jeon, managing director of Pioneer's e-Commerce
group. "Our users now have an intuitive, engaging, and easy way to interact
with Pioneer online and get the information they need quickly and
efficiently."
While most natural language engines focus on searching a site, Pioneer's
CyberGuides can converse, process, and act upon requests. With a full
knowledge base and ability to generate the best possible answers, the
CyberGuides address specific questions in a conversational format. For
example, Janet provides a definition when asked, "What is a mutual fund?,"
but when asked, "How do I buy a mutual fund?" Janet will refer the public
user to an investment professional. Logan provides conversational tutorials
geared to help investors prepare for a first meeting with a financial
professional.
Keith is a "CyberRep" designed to assist investment professionals by
providing specific data on Pioneer products and links to commonly requested
information. Investment professionals may access this site using their login
and password issued by Pioneer. All of Pioneer's CyberGuides are
user-friendly and act as navigational tools to find information on the site.
Pioneer Investment Management, Inc. and EuroPlus Research & Management Ltd.
together manage over $110 billion in assets worldwide under the name Pioneer
Investments. Pioneer, based in Boston, manages over $23 billion in assets
worldwide on behalf of individual and institutional investors. EuroPlus,
based in Dublin, Ireland, manages over $85 billion in assets for high net
worth investors and institutional investors. Pioneer has financial services
operations in Germany, Ireland, Poland, Czech Republic, and Russia. Its
flagship fund, Pioneer Fund, was
founded in 1928 and is the fourth oldest mutual fund in the United States.
For more information on Pioneer Fund or any Pioneer mutual funds, please
call your investment representative or Pioneer at 800-225-6292. Please ask
for a free prospectus, which describes charges and expenses; read it
carefully before you invest or send money. Pioneer Investments® Distributor, Inc.,
is the Underwriter and Distributor for Pioneer mutual funds.
Pioneer Investment Management, Inc.
60 State St.
Boston, MA
02109
