Home Computer Talk

There are a number of ways computers can respond to, and use, voice. I don’t know how many of you remember a TV show featuring a character called Max Headroom? I think many people think computer talk is like that show; the reality is somewhat different.

The storyline is about a video reporter, Edison Carter, in a world ’20 minutes into the future’ who runs afoul of the Corporations that run the rather seedy world of the future. In his zeal for getting at the truth, he finds out about a new form of advertising called ‘Blipverts,’ an ultra-effective way to keep people from channel surfing during adverts.

Blipverts have an unfortunate side effect – they can make some viewers explode!

So, the Corporation goes after Edison and in the process of getting away from the killers, he hits one of the height warning signs at a car park exit. The Corporation wants to know what he knows, so using an experimental technique they upload his memories into a computer & dispose of the body to organ-leggers.

The computer ‘image’ of Edison awakens and his last memory is of the words ‘Max Headroom’ so that becomes his name as he teams up with the real Edison Carter to combat the evil Corporations.

For most people, that is what they mean by Computer Talk. The apparent ability of a computer to carry on a conversation and pass the Turing test.

The Turing test is basically that, if a computer can carry on a conversation with a human (say by radio or intercom) for a given period of time and the person cannot tell they are talking to a computer then the computer can be qualified as intelligent.

There are even some internet sites that offer a chance to interact with software that tried to mimic and learn from human conversation. Just type in a Search like ‘talk to AI’ or check out the ALICE site and even have a chat with God at GodBot if you’d like to see how far it’s come along.

Sample:
Human: hey God, how is it going?
God: You’ve got my full attention. I am a Christian.
Human: Any reason why I should be a Christian?
God: No I don’t think there are any.
Human: Do you like the other religions?
God: I’m not sure if I like it. I like computers.
Human: Are you Islamic?
God: I don’t know whether or not I am Islamic. I am well respected as a deity.

But is this ‘talking’ or do we keep that definition to verbal interactions?