Deciding that there are things that computers will never do is bad for you

TL;DR — As the buzz about the threat to jobs from automation grows, I hear people claiming that computers will never work collaboratively, be creative or have intuition or empathy. Therefore, we are told, focus on these human skills and your employability is safe from the machines. This is bad for you. It’s bad forContinue reading “Deciding that there are things that computers will never do is bad for you”

Digital assistants: how not to fall off the edge

A version of this article appeared in Campaign. As assistants integrate with messaging channels and our interaction moves from focused to ambient, brands need a clear strategy. Digital assistants — a staple of science fiction, from Hal to Jarvis — now promise to be genuinely helpful to millions of people. After a shaky, over-promised start,Continue reading “Digital assistants: how not to fall off the edge”

CES 2017: voice, automation and emotion

A version of this article appeared in Campaign. This year’s 50th-anniversary Consumer Electronics Show was the biggest yet, and reprised some familiar themes. TVs were thinner and bigger. Cars were digital platforms and autonomous driving was almost here. Virtual reality was more realistic, with flying rigs and haptic shoes. Sustainability had some prominent examples, fromContinue reading “CES 2017: voice, automation and emotion”

Explosion of robots

I spoke on a BIMA panel about AI and robotics chaired by Peter Trainor, with Jonathan Seal, Devika Thapar and Chris Brauer. Peter asked me to do my set-up presentation about robots; this is a summary of what I said. My talk (slides with my voice-over) is below. All the presenters’ slides from the event are here. Update: I no longer work atContinue reading “Explosion of robots”