Abstract: A computer system comprises computer storage holding at least one code module configured to implement a bot, and at least one processor configured to execute the code module. The computer system also comprises a communication system for effecting communication events between users of the communication system; a bot interface for exchanging messages between the communication system and the bot; and a dialogue manager. The communication system transmits, to the dialogue manager directly, content of a first message received at a processor of the communication system from a user of the communication system. The dialogue applies an intent recognition process to the content to generate at least one intent identifier, and transmits a second message comprising the intent identifier to the bot using the bot interface. The bot automatically generates a response using the intent identifier received in the second message, and transmits the generated response to at least the user.

Abstract: A method implemented at a network entity during an instant messaging communication session conducted between a plurality of user terminals over a communications network, the method comprising: receiving a request over the communications network from one of said user terminals, the request comprising a uniform resource indicator that has been exchanged in an instant message during the instant messaging communication session; retrieving media content associated with the uniform resource indicator from a further network entity connected to said network; storing the retrieved media content in a data store connected to said network; and transmitting a response to said user terminal, the response comprising one of (i) at least one identifier of a location in the data store where the retrieved media content was stored; and (ii) the retrieved media content.