Google Duplex - Cool or Creepy?

[LeoRex]

Just wanted to start a discussion about Google Duplex... The tech they showed off where Google Assistant can make phone calls to set up a reservation or appointment, giving the appearance that it's a live person, rather than a digital assistant...

I'm still undecided... I mean, it's incredible how far AI has come, but what of the person on the other end of the line? How do they feel about being fooled into thinking they are speaking to an actual person?

 

[jhimmel]

Going to be annoying for businesses receiving calls that are guaranteed to be a frustrating failure. My prediction.

 

[anon(10092459)]

Cool AF!

I absolutely love the way Google is pushing tech. Being a little uncomfortable is a great sign that we are entering new territory and it's time to move on to the next great chapter in technology.

 

[Almeuit]

It is cool to me. I can understand the "creepy" camp people though.

 

[hallux]

Like some, my jaw dropped when they showed it. I showed it to some neighbors that were impressed but a little nervous about what it means as it relates to the AI and the service knowing things about you.

 

[Golfdriver97]

Overall, I think it's good for the advancement of AI. But it does seem rather creepy. Probably one of those things we will get used to. Similar to people talking to their phone but not to another person.

 

[LeoRex]

Yeah, I guess, like CGI, there is an uncanny valley for this sort of thing. It's really cool tech, but everyone seems a little skeeved out.

We're just marching along to a Her-like scenario.

 

[Almeuit]

Google said the below.

https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/10/...ssistant-voice-calling-identify-itself-update

 

[bembol]

Cool.

I'm not the paranoid type nor worry about privacy and security.

This is technology design to assist and make our lives simpler so I'm looking forward to it.

I guess some watch too many movies like Terminator thinking they will rule us one day. LOL

 

[Itsa_Me_Mario]

Amazingly cool af and the creepy camp people are nuts.

 

[Wbutchart]

I dont understand why this is creepy. What harm does it do to talk to a machine on the other end and not realise? How could that upset, hurt or cause harm to another person? I dont understand this reaction in the media at all.

In the UK I'm forced to speak to machines all the time before I get to speak to a person, I'd love it if they sounded more human, intelligent, understood me and were far less annoying.

 

[UdiBerry]

Wow, that was fast, Siri is now "Duplex capable" as well!

https://youtu.be/pNyujsxgAMo

 

[anon(10092459)]

I dont understand why this is creepy. What harm does it do to talk to a machine on the other end and not realise? How could that upset, hurt or cause harm to another person? I dont understand this reaction in the media at all.

In the UK I'm forced to speak to machines all the time before I get to speak to a person, I'd love it if they sounded more human, intelligent, understood me and were far less annoying.

You're damn right you don't understand! It's clear as crystal, man!! "Something", "Might", "Happen!". I mean, that says it all right there.

Something = What that is, we don't know

Might = Maybe OR even Maybe NOT (it's tricky)

Happen = when "something might" occur,... sometime .. in the future .. maybe.

You should go ahead and kiss your family and loved ones goodbye, because apparently the apocalypse is upon us all... at least so say the pseudo pundits.

 

[jhimmel]

Duplex - I would Iike to make an appointment for Friday at 9.
Business - we have no availability Friday at 9. We could do next Wednesday at 4 or Thursday at 1. Which would you like?
Duplex - ummm.....

or

Duplex - I would like to make an appointment with John tomorrow at 3.
Business - John is not available tomorrow. you can see Peter tomorrow, or I can schedule you with John Thursday. Which would you prefer?
Duplex - ummm.....

That's how I see it going, and it will be frustrating.

 

[Itsa_Me_Mario]

Duplex - I would Iike to make an appointment for Friday at 9.
Business - we have no availability Friday at 9. We could do next Wednesday at 4 or Thursday at 1. Which would you like?
Duplex - ummm.....

or

Duplex - I would like to make an appointment with John tomorrow at 3.
Business - John is not available tomorrow. you can see Peter tomorrow, or I can schedule you with John Thursday. Which would you prefer?
Duplex - ummm.....

That's how I see it going, and it will be frustrating.

Per the demonstration it was able to handle scheduling alternative times. It was implied I believe that the alternative times were chosen based on availability in the user's calendar. I think that I agree that alternative people might be a stumbling block.

 

[hallux]

Per the demonstration it was able to handle scheduling alternative times. It was implied I believe that the alternative times were chosen based on availability in the user's calendar. I think that I agree that alternative people might be a stumbling block.

Actually, in the demo the requestor asked Assistant for the appointment to be between 10 and 12. When the Assistant asked for 12 initially, the salon presented 1:15, the response to that was asking for between 10 and 12 and the appointment was made. This still fell within the parameters of the initial request.

 

[Itsa_Me_Mario]

Actually, in the demo the requestor asked Assistant for the appointment to be between 10 and 12. When the Assistant asked for 12 initially, the salon presented 1:15, the response to that was asking for between 10 and 12 and the appointment was made. This still fell within the parameters of the initial request.

Ah ok, I need to listen more closely!

 

[jhimmel]

My point is that questions are going to come back that Duplex simply won't know the answer to, and businesses will start to dread the calls coming in from Duplex. I'm not against AI, but I can just see how this is going to go. AI is not ready to handle dynamic situations and will lead to frustration. Hope I'm wrong though.

 

[Itsa_Me_Mario]

My point is that questions are going to come back that Duplex simply won't know the answer to, and businesses will start to dread the calls coming in from Duplex. I'm not against AI, but I can just see how this is going to go. AI is not ready to handle dynamic situations and will lead to frustration. Hope I'm wrong though.

Yeah I get the feeling this is more of a "look at what we can do" rather than an immenent feature. They were careful to limit it to small businesses and very specific use cases, precisely because they're better able to train it to deal with a smaller number or variables.

 

[Velvet G]

I dont understand why this is creepy. What harm does it do to talk to a machine on the other end and not realise? How could that upset, hurt or cause harm to another person? I dont understand this reaction in the media at all.

In the UK I'm forced to speak to machines all the time before I get to speak to a person, I'd love it if they sounded more human, intelligent, understood me and were far less annoying.

One less job for a human being. Besides, people do not know how to interact with other humans as it is now. Creating less human interaction isn't necessarily a good thing.