Audio-interfaces, as my dedicated readers are aware, are pretty hot right now. In order to compete, any audio-based AI needs to respond in a human way. No one wants to interact with a stilted, slow-paced computer voice. Alexa can hold an entire entertaining conversation, so how could Google compete? By hiring writers off of a couple media companies known for their incisive, emotionally-intelligent content: Animation studio Pixar and news satire website The Onion.
How It Works
Writing for the Wall Street Journal, Christopher Mims covered the ways in which robots are becoming great conversationalists. From the article: Also of note: the technical distinction between these voice-activated home devices and a true AI:
What Problems Needed Fixing?
So why bother hiring writers trained to handle nothing but story- or satire-driven content? Are the scripted responses of a robot voice that important? Turns out the answer is yes: You might not have a robot delivering end-of-Toy Story-3-levels of emotion to your daily life yet, but it looks like you can expect at least a spark of dry wit or playfulness in every future tech-powered conversation. Ultimately, Mr. Hafsteinsson says, Google wants to build an emotional connection with the user—though that is still a ways off.” Image: Wikimedia
