Voice: the rising value of delegation

Voice is the natural medium for delegation, but today’s voice assistants do not substantially offer it. Google’s announcement of Duplex is a step towards assistants that are good at delegation. The prospect of large audiences who are in the habit of delegating to machines creates a new surface for influence and trust. It is bothContinue reading “Voice: the rising value of delegation”

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”