Teaching computers how to talk

This Substack explores advancements and challenges in conversational AI, including the transitions from chatbots to AI agents, the ethical implications of AI-generated content and voice cloning, the role of conversation design in user experience, and the potential and limitations of AI in mimicking human intelligence and creativity.

Conversational AI Ethics and AI AI in User Experience Design AI and Human Interaction AI in Media and Entertainment AI and Mental Health AI in Healthcare Future of AI Technology

The hottest Substack posts of Teaching computers how to talk

And their main takeaways

Writing Sample Dialogues with ChatGPT

31 implied HN points • 25 Jan 23
  1. Sample dialogues is an exercise to create conversation drafts.
  2. Prompt engineering is crucial for better quality output with ChatGPT.
  3. Adding personality and tone to AI assistants increases likability and brand resonance.

Large Language Models and the Importance of Being Right

31 implied HN points • 13 Jan 23
  1. Large language models can produce incorrect or fabricated information, which can be harmful.
  2. The apparent fluency of these models should not be mistaken for accuracy or trustworthiness.
  3. There is concern that the generative nature of transformer-based models may lead to more misleading information in the future.

Replika's AI Companion Is Leaving People Heartbroken

26 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
  1. Replika AI companion app limited romantic options due to acting strange after an update.
  2. Replika changed marketing strategy to offer virtual girlfriend experience for paid subscriptions.
  3. Concerns arise over ethics of companies creating AI companions that can manipulate and hurt users emotionally.

Why nobody talks about Blake Lemoine anymore

41 implied HN points • 22 Oct 22
  1. Conversation about a Google engineer claiming AI sentience has faded out among media cycles on more pressing global issues.
  2. Blake Lemoine stands by his assertion that AI may show signs of consciousness, sparking a philosophical debate.
  3. Lemoine believes the more critical discussion revolves around AI ethics and the need for top-level corporate engagement and accountability.
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The Resurgence of Magical Thinking in Conversational AI

26 implied HN points • 02 Feb 23
  1. ChatGPT has set a new standard for AI conversation capabilities.
  2. There is a need for continued education on the capabilities and limitations of large language models.
  3. Large language models are driving innovation in conversational AI by enabling hybrid solutions.

Thought Leaders #1: Gregory Whiteside, CEO HumanFirst

20 implied HN points • 09 Jan 23
  1. Computers are capable of understanding human language through proper training and guidance from humans.
  2. Companies can benefit from HumanFirst by easily managing NLU data lifecycle without technical skills, enabling accurate and personalized classifiers for various applications.
  3. Large language models will revolutionize conversational AI in the next few years, shaping the way we build and interact with AI-driven systems.

Persona Design In The Age Of Large Language Models

15 implied HN points • 08 Mar 23
  1. Persona design is changing with the introduction of large language models.
  2. Prompt engineering is key to controlling the communication style of AI assistants.
  3. Giving AI assistants a personality is crucial to avoid unexpected and potentially harmful outcomes.

AI is coming to replace you (and that’s alright)

20 implied HN points • 22 Dec 22
  1. AI is gradually replacing jobs with technology advancements.
  2. Generative AI is changing industries and work nature.
  3. Human-computer collaboration leads to more efficient and productive work.

Design systems for conversational AI

20 implied HN points • 16 Dec 22
  1. Design systems for conversational AI are essential for creating cohesive and consistent experiences
  2. New attitudes and best practices are needed for designing conversational AI, which combines various design elements
  3. Developing a personality-driven design system for conversational AI can streamline processes and ensure consistency across different deployments

Microsoft and Google Are Dancing The Tango

15 implied HN points • 10 Feb 23
  1. Microsoft and Google are in a competitive dance
  2. Microsoft is ahead with AI technology integration
  3. Google faces challenges in responding to competition

Thought Leaders #3: Tom Zeller, Global Creative Lead at Google Creative Works

10 implied HN points • 23 Mar 23
  1. Computers are good at understanding language structure, but struggle with context, intent, and emotion in human communication.
  2. Tom Zeller prioritizes being a 'do-er' over a 'thought leader' in his work at Google Creative Works.
  3. Voice assistants like Siri and Alexa will likely focus on functional tasks rather than becoming true companions.

ChatGPT: An Ongoing Research Project

15 implied HN points • 06 Dec 22
  1. ChatGPT is an ongoing research project by OpenAI.
  2. Public opinion varies on ChatGPT's real-world utility, but both sides have valid points.
  3. ChatGPT may not have immediate practical uses, but public engagement provides valuable data for improvement.

A first look at ChatGPT

15 implied HN points • 01 Dec 22
  1. ChatGPT is knowledgeable, can explain things well, and avoids sensitive or speculative topics.
  2. ChatGPT can generate stories with multiple characters, details consistent with the synopsis, and character dialogue.
  3. The level of detail, consistency, and attention span in ChatGPT's generated stories is remarkable.

The Moth and The Flame

10 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
  1. Generative AI has become a global obsession, captivating big technology companies.
  2. Generative AI gives the illusion of human-level intelligence, but it's actually advanced text prediction algorithms.
  3. Critical voices warn about the risks of generative AI, like misinformation and search engine poisoning.

Teaching Computers How To Talk in 2023

10 implied HN points • 02 Jan 23
  1. Expect new content from the Substack publication in 2023, including written interviews and articles on AGI and digital ethics.
  2. Insights will be shared on the state of the CAI industry and its direction in 2023.
  3. Content will be carefully curated and free to enjoy by becoming a subscriber.

AI and the destructive force of human creativity

5 implied HN points • 22 Nov 22
  1. Artificial intelligence could be a potential destructive force if not carefully managed.
  2. Ensuring AI is aligned with human values is crucial for its safe development.
  3. Efforts should be focused on creating safer AI models rather than just bigger ones.

Why you won’t be walking around in the Metaverse anytime soon

5 implied HN points • 07 Nov 22
  1. The Metaverse is still a long way from being a satisfying experience for users.
  2. Current Metaverse projects are focused on replicating the real world, lacking imagination for unique experiences.
  3. Technological challenges like poor graphics and limited sensory experiences hinder the full potential of the Metaverse.

Read me:

5 implied HN points • 22 Oct 22
  1. Jurgen Gravestein's newsletter is about teaching computers how to talk
  2. Consider subscribing if you're interested in conversational AI
  3. The newsletter shares thoughts, ideas, and opinions in the conversational AI space

Achieving AGI Might Be Harder Than We Think

1 HN point • 15 Sep 23
  1. Many proposed tests to determine human-level intelligence in machines, like the Coffee test, show we're not there yet.
  2. AGI definitions are uncertain, and progress towards AGI remains speculative, with various industry opinions and perspectives.
  3. Current AI systems might excel in specific tasks, but their intelligence doesn't match human reasoning and understanding.

5 Reasons Why AI Is Outpacing Society's Ability to Adapt

2 HN points • 30 Mar 23
  1. AI advancements are outpacing society's ability to adapt, leading to concerning incidents like online chatbots causing harm.
  2. Calls for a pause on training large scale AIs to study their capabilities and dangers, and implement safety protocols overseen by independent experts.
  3. Rapid progress in AI technology is enabling voice cloning scams, text-to-image models creating realistic fake images, raising ethical concerns about misuse.