A chatbot is a computer program intended to engage with humans in human-like conversations. It is also known by other names like chatterbot, talkbot etc. Chatbots are the “in-thing” in the world of artificial-intelligence led technology. Both the press and the internet world are awash with stories of how chatbots are going to change the way we shop, dine, converse, and even stay in a hotel. There is a lot of hype around this technology, as is usually the case when people talk about artificial intelligence. Continue reading Can Chatbots Replace Customer Service Reps?
Category Archives: Technology
Does Someone Have to Die First?
Digital technology changes fast, and organizations change slowly: First using the technology as an automated, digitized version of the old way of doing things, then gradually understanding that in order to achieve productivity and functional breakthroughs. We need to leave the old metaphors behind. For this to happen, we need new mindsets, unfettered by the old way of using the technology. I wonder if my generation has the capability to do it.
Test Early and Often
Developing software requires a mix of analytical and creative approaches, involving different types of people who have different blends of thinking. But how can one achieve software quality in the competitive IT marketplace? I argue here that the maxim “Test early and often” is one of the most useful tools for achieving software quality. Continue reading Test Early and Often
An Evolutionary Singularity
The drumbeats of the singularity advocates is getting louder with the constant refrain that humanity is doomed at the hands of machine intelligence. Although their argument is machine intelligence is inevitable, many people do not believe it is a likely future. In his recent book about the evolution of humanity, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Yuval Harari offers a different assessment. He argues our species, Homo sapiens, will become extinct in the next century—but by human choice, not machine intelligence. Let’s take a look at his intriguing argument. See if you agree. Continue reading An Evolutionary Singularity