Voice Interface AI: Uncanny Valley?

[Drunk Vegan]

Am I the only one who gets a little creeped out when they have to interact with machines that are far from artificially intelligent, but are programmed to pretend that they are?

I'd include Siri and automated phone systems for most companies in that category since most of them require that you speak to their machine for most or at least some of the process, but specifically I was thinking of the new recommendation system for Netflix, called Max.

Apparently "Max" is dressed up to emulate a "friend" who knows all your preferences in media and can recommend your perfect viewing item.

Today it decided to greet me by saying "You're up a little early, aren't you?" which for reasons I can't explain made me cringe and shudder. I suspect I've taken an nosedive into Uncanny Valley.

I guess I'm just not ready for corporate datamining presented as though it were your best buddy looking out for you.

[NEOWatcher]

Today it decided to greet me by saying "You're up a little early, aren't you?" which for reasons I can't explain made me cringe and shudder.

That would make me cringe a bit too. Like you, I'm not sure why, but it almost seems like it's questioning your actions.

The problem I see in these AI recommendation plans is that I am a person who enjoys a wide variety of Genre's. For me, it's more of certain things I dislike rather than things I like. And, I like to try new things.
I tend not to get interesting options if it keeps suggesting similar items.

And; After a while, it will start suggesting the same things over and over again (I get that on Amazon alot).

[Trebuchet]

That would make me cringe a bit too. Like you, I'm not sure why, but it almost seems like it's questioning your actions.

Not just questioning, but keeping track. That's a bit creepy. I know it's going on all the time (Hi, Google!) but I suppose I'd rather not know.

[Rhaedas]

At least it didn't say "Ah, I knew you'd be here."

In the market of AI, just like any other market, the ones that make the person feel comfortable the most will win out.

For as long as they need us to feel comfortable.

[Romanus]

Re OP:
I think that's both funny and cool.

I dunno; I've been into a series of SF books set in a future where people literally cannot live without companion AIs that not only serve as advisers and sounding boards, but which balance your checkbooks, monitor the 'Net, relay messages, etc. I say, bring it!

That said, if they make an alarm clock that snarls something like, "Get up, you lazy punk!", then we may have issues.

[NEOWatcher]

That said, if they make an alarm clock that snarls something like, "Get up, you lazy punk!", then we may have issues.

Then I guess we already have issues.

[Trebuchet]

I found myself talking back to the GPS lady a couple of times today. Now I need to go look at Google Earth and see if where she told us to turn (rather than following the main road) were actually shortcuts or just traps.

[Antice]

I found myself talking back to the GPS lady a couple of times today. Now I need to go look at Google Earth and see if where she told us to turn (rather than following the main road) were actually shortcuts or just traps.

It's bad enough when the wife get's the navigation right and I get it wrong... Will i now have to be wrong vs the GPS lady too? or worse. will the gps lady berate me afterwards and start sulking?
Now that would be uncanny indeed.

[HenrikOlsen]

It's bad enough when the wife get's the navigation right and I get it wrong... Will i now have to be wrong vs the GPS lady too? or worse. will the gps lady berate me afterwards and start sulking?
Now that would be uncanny indeed.

Get the John Cleese voice for it and you'll get that already.

[Solfe]

There is a Snoop Dogg skin for Tom-Tom.

[ZunarJ5]

There is a Snoop Dogg skin for Tom-Tom.

I believe you mean, Snoop "Lion" ....