Rule-based chatbots are computer programs designed to interact with users by following predefined rules. They use a set of specific keywords or phrases to understand user input and provide appropriate responses. These chatbots are often limited in their ability to handle complex conversations, as they can only respond to scenarios they have been programmed to recognize. Unlike AI-driven chatbots, which learn from interactions, rule-based chatbots rely on a fixed set of instructions. This makes them easier to develop and implement, but they may struggle with unexpected questions or variations in language. As a result, they are best suited for simple tasks like answering FAQs or guiding users through basic processes.