Propaganda reality check: The ‘AI’ phone call and Google Duplex mania
In the wake of a potentially game-changing AI demo at Google Duplex recently, Nico Neumann considers if Google will ever truly be able to provide the perfect hairdresser’s appointment via artificial intelligence.
So everyone is going crazy about Google Duplex and the “AI” phone call. I don’t know how many people I have seen sharing the video today with comments along the lines of “this is the future”.
Here are my five questions after watching the clip:
You have some interesting points Nico… especially #4.
But why do you think the assistant would book you an appointment at 10AM when your instruction was 3PM? The scenario you created there doesn’t make any sense… Rather than book you for 10AM I’d expect the assistant to come back to you with an answer like “it’s not available”.
The Demo (or just a video) from Google shows the person giving a range in between 10AM-12PM and from that point the AI make the decision following the instructions. But if you don’t give options to the system, then I guess you don’t need an intelligent system to help you.
In my view, it’s all based on how we use the machine… a computer is just a technology piece, but the results are very different when used by different people.
My guess for #4 would be that duplex will be connected to your calendar and will know when you are free or busy. Also, to Paulo’s point, a time range is given in the video example.
But I’m with you on #1 and #2. I’m sure there were a few funny outtakes from previous phone call attempts.
This could be very useful for the disabled who are unable to place a call, or for when travelling in another country where you don’t speak the native language.
Years ago I worked for a paging company, we were evaluating the potential impact of text/sms messaging. Having timed how quickly someone could ring our call centre and leave a message vs, the longer time it took to type a text on a ‘new’ mobile phone the powers that be assessed the new tech as not a threat.
To be honest, They sounded a lot like you do in this article.
Have any of you actually presented to an audience? First rule is don’t ever do a live demonstration. There is the opportunity for any number of things to go wrong, plus who would you have it call? Somebody on the stage? Then you’ll be complaining that it’s all scripted.
The system is not in production yet. If you watched the full 1.5 hour keynote you would have heard him say that. If it’s not live, that means there are likely still bugs. They are showing the future. Open your minds to what is possible and it will come. When any of you are on the stage presenting a competing idea, or can rival Amazon, Apple, or Google then your short sighted opinion may count.
Speech is the weak link here – surely it’s simpler for service providers to adopt a networked booking system that speaks directly to my calendar, than it is for my calendar to develop the ability to talk to a human?
I wonder what state the call was recorded in, as most states have made recording telephone calls illegal without dual consent.
Hmmm is this really AI or just another dB lookup imitating intelligence.
Personally I would welcome talking to a robot who can think logically and actually listen accurately to what I am saying. Telstra call centres in particular could hugely benefit from an upgrade from bureaucratic company-think human-bots who seem unable to improvise away from the company script and its limited set of scenarios to a robot trained in clear thinking and problem solving.