Plural of bot; software programs that run automated tasks, or robotic devices that perform functions.
Short for 'robot,' from Czech 'robota' (forced labor). 'Bot' emerged as computing shorthand in the late 20th century as internet and software automation became widespread.
The word 'robot' itself comes from a 1920 Czech play about artificial servants—so when we use 'bots' today, we're continuing a sci-fi prophecy from a century ago that predicted machines would perform human labor.
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