Bastille's Feature | One-Stop AI Service Tames the Sea of Chats - SleekFlow Drives Social Commerce's Future

Social commerce has surged in popularity in recent years, with merchants using instant messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, WeChat, and Instagram to answer customer inquiries and complete online transactions, which has become a vital marketing channel for businesses. Nevertheless, managing customer messages across multiple platforms simultaneously can easily lead to delayed responses or missed sales opportunities. To help merchants solve this problem, SleekFlow, a social communication integration platform, was established to enable merchants to manage all customer interactions from a single platform.

Mr. Henson Tsai, Photo source: SleekFlow

In an interview with Bastille Post, Mr. Henson Tsai, Founder and CEO of SleekFlow, said that businesses receive a sea of customer messages daily through channels such as WhatsApp, WeChat, email, and phone calls. Faced with chats from various platforms, handling them effectively — whether for product inquiries, purchase requests, or customer support — has become a major challenge. To address this, SleekFlow offers a one-stop platform that integrates all channels, unifying sales, marketing, and customer service functions. Over the past four to five years, it has served thousands of clients.

AI Handles One-Stop Service Autonomously

Breakthroughs in AI technology have driven a significant transformation. Mr. Tsai noted that compared to traditional human-dependent responses, AI can achieve tenfold or even greater efficiency. For example, if a customer searches for beauty or e-commerce products at 2 a.m., AI can instantly recommend suitable items and even provide a direct payment link to complete the transaction. "We envision a future where AI acts as an automated sales agent or even a support agent." Such a vision has prompted SleekFlow to pivot over the past year from an omnichannel communication tool into an AI-native platform.

As for "AI-native", Mr. Tsai explained it means AI can handle everything autonomously, from the moment a customer asks a question, to recommending products, guiding the conversation, completing the payment, and even providing follow-up customer service, directly replacing 60% to 70% of tedious customer service processes and allowing employees to focus on higher-value tasks.

AI can handle everything autonomously, from the moment a customer asks a question, to recommending products, guiding the conversation, completing the payment, and even providing follow-up customer service. Photo source: SleekFlow

In Mr. Tsai's view, AI not only solves problems but also creates greater value. "Previously, software was sold using an IT budget. Now, AI-native platforms sell 'headcount budgets' and 'service budgets'. The future pricing model may shift toward outcome-based pricing — for example, if AI generates HK$1 million in revenue for a company, a fee will be charged accordingly, which means customers pay only when they achieve real value. That's the concept of an AI-native platform," he said.

Since every company has its own product knowledge, pricing rules, and standard operating procedures (SOPs), SleekFlow's core product, AgentFlow, can learn all of the knowledge and processes and collaborate with human teams. "Previously, companies worried about knowledge loss due to employee turnover. Now with AgentFlow, AI can continuously handle each customer's unique needs," Mr. Tsai said. He noted that while an employee might manage 60 to 70 customer conversations per month, AI can handle 2,000 to 2,500, making it more than 30 times more efficient than a human.

Hong Kong: A Growing Market for Message Handling

In Hong Kong, Mr. Tsai observed that industries handling high volumes of customer inquiries have the most urgent need for AI-powered business platforms, including beauty, healthcare, retail, e-commerce, tourism, and large enterprises such as telecoms and airlines.

Take local telecom giant HKBN as an example. The company previously struggled to deliver notifications and product promotions due to a rise in phone fraud and busy customer lifestyles, as many people refused to answer calls from unknown numbers. After adopting SleekFlow's WhatsApp Business API, HKBN integrated multiple official accounts into a single platform, significantly improving efficiency through automated message routing, shared team inboxes, and marketing broadcast functions. The results showed a 95% message read rate, a 50% response rate, and a 35% renewal conversion rate.

HKBN has received a 95% message read rate, a 50% response rate, and a 35% renewal conversion rate with the assistance of SleekFlow. Photo source: SleekFlow

Another success story is Avène. Previously, the brand's membership program relied on different retailer systems and mobile apps, resulting in a cumbersome registration process and high user drop-off. Through SleekFlow, dedicated member zones were established on WhatsApp and WeChat, making customers instantly earn points by simply scanning a QR code, registering with their mobile number, and uploading receipts. Within two months, the brand successfully acquired over 60,000 new members.

SleekFlow primarily focuses on four key metrics: 1. Resolution rate: The percentage of customers who successfully resolve issues or complete purchases after interacting with AI has increased from 50–60% to approximately 90%. 2. AI involvement: Many customers interact with over one million users monthly, with more than 90% of those interactions handled by AI. 3. Purchase intent: Previously, about 20,000 out of one million customers reached the purchase intent stage. After AI optimization, it can be increased by 50–60%, driving long-term business growth of 30–40%. 4. 7-day resolution rate: Most customers achieve a 90% problem resolution rate within seven days.

Pay Only for Value Created

Many worry that AI will replace human jobs in the near future. But Mr. Tsai, citing the views of renowned AI scientist Yann LeCun, pointed out that new technologies will not eliminate existing jobs. On the contrary, they will significantly increase job opportunities. "Just like after the internet emerged, the frequency of people making WhatsApp calls or Zoom calls is tens of thousands of times greater than it was 20 years ago." He believes that AI will improve everyone's quality of life and productivity, and that new roles such as AI Operators and AI Managers will emerge in the future, creating more job opportunities overall. "I am an AI optimist," he said.

Considering that the open-source AI agent OpenClaw has raised concerns about the software industry being replaced, Mr. Tsai acknowledged that OpenClaw impacts SaaS companies and may lead to the elimination of some industry players. However, he noted that companies need to adapt to market changes. SleekFlow has proactively adjusted its pricing model: customers do not pay when setting up the system; fees only kick in when AI truly solves problems and delivers value. "This represents a major shift in business models. SaaS can no longer rely solely on revenue per user; it must now charge based on value."

Looking ahead, SleekFlow will continue to expand its AI capabilities, aiming for AI to not only handle marketing and support but also proactively assist businesses with tasks such as reaching out to potential customers and closing deals. Meanwhile, AI will also enhance data analytics, allowing managers to simply input questions and receive charts and suggestions instantly.

Looking ahead, SleekFlow will continue to expand its AI capabilities, aiming for AI to not only handle marketing and support but also proactively assist businesses with tasks such as reaching out to potential customers and closing deals. Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Tsai emphasized that in the AI era, companies should "both take attempts and learn from mistakes fast enough." Since integrating AI into its R&D process, the number of features and products launched each month has increased by 50% to 70% compared to before for him.

He also noted that SleekFlow's customers are currently concentrated in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, accounting for approximately 60% to 70% of its total customer base, with the remaining 30% to 40% coming from the Americas and the Middle East. The corporation also has offices in Texas, USA, and São Paulo, Brazil, and has already entered the European market.

FEHD releases sixth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in April

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 5) released the sixth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in April, covering 15 survey areas, as follows:

District

Survey Area

April 2026

First Phase Gravidtrap Index

First Phase Density Index

Tuen Mun

Tuen Mun West

8.0%

1.0

District

Survey Area

April 2026

Area Gravidtrap Index

Area Density Index

Islands

Cheung Chau

7.3%

1.6

Kowloon City

Kowloon City

7.4%

1.1

Kwun Tong

Kowloon Bay

9.8%

1.7

Lam Tin and Sau Mau Ping

9.4%

1.3

Wong Tai Sin

Diamond Hill and Tsz Wan Shan

8.4%

1.0

Ngau Chi Wan and San Po Kong

17.8%

1.1

Wong Tai Sin East

9.8%

1.3

Yau Tsim

Tsim Sha Tsui East and King's Park

2.8%

1.0

North

Fanling South

8.4%

1.1

Sha Tin

Tai Wai

5.0%

1.2

Kwai Tsing

Kwai Chung West

4.5%

1.0

Tsing Yi South

8.8%

1.0

Tuen Mun

So Kwun Wat

19.3%

1.4

Tuen Mun North

7.3%

1.2

Among the sixth batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering one survey area and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering 14 survey areas in April, all were below 10 per cent, except for the Area Gravidtrap Indexes of Ngau Chi Wan and San Po Kong in Wong Tai Sin District, and So Kwun Wat in Tuen Mun District.

With reference to the data from the past few years, the gravidtrap indexes start to rise from April or May every year. The actual timing of the increaseandits extent are affected by factors like weather and rainfall. The average temperature and rainfall in April this year were higher than those of the same period last year, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding and thus leading to the earlier rise of gravidtrap indexes this year, but the overall trend and extent of the increase are similar to those of previous years. In response to the rise of gravidtrap indexes, the FEHD, together with relevant departments and stakeholders, has implemented rapid response measures and deployed targeted actions.

For Ngau Chi Wan and San Po Kong in Wong Tai Sin District, and So Kwun Wat in Tuen Mun District, which recorded indexes exceeding 10 per cent, in accordance with the mechanism implemented by the FEHD in response to the chikungunya fever (CF) situation (i.e. strengthening mosquito control work in areas with a gravidtrap index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, instead of 20 per cent or above under the original mechanism), the FEHD is collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestations and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures. In particular, the gravidtrap data for Ngau Chi Wan and San Po Kong showed that areas with more mosquito problems included parks, schools and public housing estates, while the gravidtrap data for So Kwun Wat showed that areas with more mosquito problems included parks and private housing estates.

In response to the high-risk areas identified in the said survey areas, the FEHD has issued a statutory notice to a relevant construction site contractor following the discovery of stagnant water at a construction site in So Kwun Wat in Tuen Mun District, requiring the clearance of such item within a specified timeframe. The FEHD and the relevant departments are following up on the mosquito control work, and will also organise exhibitions, distribute leaflets and posters, and notify residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures. In addition, the FEHD will strengthen the monitoring of the gravidtrap index in the areas to review the effectiveness of the mosquito control work.

The FEHD has so far released six batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in April 2026, covering 62 survey areas. Among these 62 survey areas, one recorded a decrease or remained unchanged as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month (i.e. March 2026), representing that the area's mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Fifty-one other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent.

Public participation is crucial to the effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:

tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside their premises;

remove all unnecessary water collections and eliminate the sources;

check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;

change water in flower vases and scrub their inner surfaces thoroughly, and remove water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;

properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;

properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and

scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating relevant information through press releases, its website and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of CF transmission.

Following recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks of surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department's webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).

FEHD releases sixth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in April Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases sixth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in April Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases sixth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in April Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases