[LINK] Telstra - talking to a machine

[Anthony Healy]

> "This system advises that its program cannot
> permit that course  of action." vs. "I'm afraid
> I can't let you do that, Dave."

As with all communication, the medium should get out of the way. Third
person would be best for these sort of systems, and indeed is used in most
of them. A simple: "That number is not correct," is fine, possibly in a more
helpful fashion: "That number only has five digits; there should be six. Try
again."

Arthur Clarke did indeed have Hal using first person, and what a brilliant
dramatic device that was. But that's the point. He was trying to inject the
computer into the situation for dramatic reasons. The comnputer as sentient
being.


> ...Telstra's VR system doesn't yet have that
> sophistication yet, but it will have one day
> and it's inevitable that the
> marketing droids will anticipate that day.
> I've got a dollar that says it's inevitable.

Yes, of course.

Regards, Tony