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Google Chat

Google Chat

Enable an AI chat interface within your Google Chat workspace, allowing team members to interact with your ept AI chatbot directly in Google Chat spaces and direct messages.

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Overview​

The Google Chat integration enables your ept AI chatbot to:

  • Provide AI chat functionality within Google Chat spaces and direct messages
  • Respond to user queries using your configured knowledge base
  • Maintain conversation context within Google Chat threads
  • Offer 24/7 AI assistance to your team members

Important: This integration does not grant AI access to Google Chat's message history or internal knowledge. It only enables real-time AI chat conversations within Google Chat.

Prerequisites​

Before setting up the Google Chat integration, ensure you have:

  • Google Workspace: Active Google Workspace account with Google Chat enabled
  • App Creation Access: Ability to create Google Chat apps in your workspace
  • ept AI Setup: Your ept AI chatbot configured and ready
  • Knowledge Base: Team documentation loaded into ept AI

Setup Instructions​

Step 1: Create Google Chat App​

  1. Create New App:

    • Go to Google Cloud Console
    • Navigate to APIs & Services > Library
    • Search for and enable "Google Chat API"
    • Go to APIs & Services > Credentials
    • Click "Create Credentials" and select "OAuth 2.0 Client IDs"

  2. Configure OAuth Consent Screen:

    • Set up OAuth consent screen if not already configured
    • Add your domain to authorized domains
    • Configure scopes for Google Chat API access

  3. Create OAuth 2.0 Client:

    • Application type: Web application
    • Name: "ept AI Google Chat Integration"
    • Authorized redirect URIs: https://your-ept-ai-domain.com/oauth/google-chat/callback
    • Copy the Client ID and Client Secret

Step 2: Configure Google Chat App​

  1. Set Up Chat App:

    • Go to Google Chat API Console
    • Click "Create Chat App"
    • Configure the app:
      • App name: "ept AI Chat"
      • Description: "AI-powered chat assistant for team collaboration"
      • Avatar: Upload an appropriate app icon

  2. Configure App Settings:

    • Functionality: Enable "Chat" functionality
    • Connection settings: Set to "HTTPS endpoint"
    • HTTPS endpoint: https://your-ept-ai-domain.com/google-chat/webhook
    • Event types: Enable message events

Step 3: Create Google Chat Integration in ept AI​

  1. Access Integration Settings:

    • Log into your ept AI dashboard
    • Navigate to Configuration > Integrations
    • Click "Create Integration"
    • Select "Google Chat" from the available integrations

  2. Configure OAuth Connection:

    Client ID: your-google-client-id
    Client Secret: your-google-client-secret
    Redirect URI: https://your-ept-ai-domain.com/oauth/google-chat/callback

  3. Authorize Connection:

    • Click "Connect to Google Chat"
    • Complete the OAuth authorization flow
    • Grant necessary permissions to ept AI

Step 4: Configure Google Chat Channel​

  1. Create Channel:

    • Navigate to Configuration > Channels
    • Click "Create Channel"
    • Configure the channel:
      • Channel Name: "Google Chat AI Assistant"
      • Channel Type: Select "Google Chat"
      • Integration: Select the Google Chat integration you created
      • Knowledge Source Configuration: Choose your team knowledge base

  2. Configure Channel Settings:

    {
      "google_chat_channel_config": {
        "integration_id": "google_chat_integration_123",
        "knowledge_source": "team-ksc",
        "space_access": {
          "all_spaces": true,
          "specific_spaces": ["space1", "space2"],
          "direct_messages": true
        },
        "response_settings": {
          "thread_replies": true,
          "mention_triggers": true,
          "auto_response": false
        },
        "message_handling": {
          "context_preservation": true,
          "max_context_length": 10,
          "user_identification": true
        }
      }
    }

Configuration Options​

Space Access Settings​

  • All Spaces: Enable access to all Google Chat spaces
  • Specific Spaces: Limit access to specific spaces only
  • Direct Messages: Enable AI chat in direct messages
  • Space Types: Filter by space types (room, direct message, etc.)

Response Configuration​

  • Thread Replies: Respond within existing conversation threads
  • Mention Triggers: Only respond when the bot is mentioned
  • Auto Response: Enable automatic responses to all messages
  • Response Format: Configure message formatting and structure

Message Handling​

  • Context Preservation: Maintain conversation context across messages
  • User Identification: Identify and track individual users
  • Message History: Access recent conversation history
  • File Handling: Process and respond to file attachments

Use Cases​

Team Collaboration​

  • Project Support: Provide project-specific information and updates
  • Process Guidance: Help team members with workflows and procedures
  • Knowledge Sharing: Share relevant documentation and resources
  • Meeting Assistance: Provide context and information during meetings

Support and Help​

  • Technical Support: Answer technical questions and provide solutions
  • Documentation Access: Help find relevant documentation and guides
  • Training Assistance: Provide training materials and guidance
  • FAQ Support: Answer frequently asked questions

Information Management​

  • Data Lookup: Provide quick access to organizational data
  • Status Updates: Share project and task status information
  • Announcements: Distribute important announcements and updates
  • Resource Access: Help locate and access team resources

Best Practices​

App Configuration​

  1. Clear Naming: Use descriptive app names and descriptions
  2. App Icon: Choose an appropriate and recognizable app icon
  3. Space Management: Carefully manage which spaces the bot can access
  4. User Communication: Inform users about the bot's capabilities and limitations

Integration Optimization​

  1. Response Timing: Configure appropriate response delays
  2. Context Management: Balance context preservation with performance
  3. User Experience: Ensure smooth and helpful interactions
  4. Error Handling: Implement graceful error handling and user feedback

Security Considerations​

  1. OAuth Security: Use secure OAuth implementation with proper scopes
  2. Access Control: Limit bot access to appropriate spaces and users
  3. Data Privacy: Ensure compliance with data protection requirements
  4. Audit Logging: Monitor bot interactions and access patterns

Troubleshooting​

Common Issues​

Authentication Problems:

  • Verify OAuth credentials are correct
  • Check that redirect URI matches exactly
  • Ensure Google Chat API is enabled
  • Verify OAuth consent screen configuration

App Installation:

  • Confirm the app is properly installed in Google Chat
  • Check app permissions and access settings
  • Verify webhook endpoint is accessible
  • Test app functionality in Google Chat

Message Handling:

  • Check webhook endpoint configuration
  • Verify message event handling
  • Review response formatting and structure
  • Test conversation context preservation

Getting Help​