The problem with Kik's version of bots is that they will face the same problems as apps do right now. Discoverability of bots, 100 bots that do the same small thing vying for user's time, bot overload, etc.

What Kik seems to have is essentially a web browser with a chat interface overlay where instead of typing in a URL you "mention" (summon?) a bot and the bot then gives you a "button" (link?) you can tap to open the web content.

One thing they do get right though is the idea that the bot should disappear once done and not bother you, however keeping marketers from not abusing that is going to require them to restrict that via code (e.g. session timeout)

Ideally I would want a single conversational chat bot that I can summon, ask to perform a task (regardless of what service is chosen to perform the task), select from the options provided, have the task performed. The bot can select an app to perform the task (deep link) or if no app can do it then some bot (if a bot exists to do that task) or a web link.