In this episode (recorded in 2018) Sim dives into the realm of conversational AI with Cathy Pearl, the author of Designing Voice User Interfaces and the Head of Conversation Design Outreach at Google. They touch on the humor and satire inherent in creating conversational AI, the evolution of voice technology, and its impact on our daily lives.

Guest bio

Cathy Pearl is an expert in conversation design and voice user interface (VUI) design. She is the author of Designing Voice User Interfaces, and currently serves as the Head of Conversation Design Outreach at Google. She has been involved in the conversation design space for over a decade, with a focus on creating more human-centered and empathetic AI experiences.

Key points

• Cathy discusses the evolution of voice technology and how it has made technology more accessible to a wider audience.
• She shares insights into the challenges and triumphs of creating conversational AI that can understand and respond to human needs.
• The conversation delves into the humorous aspects of conversational AI, including unintentionally hilarious responses and the inherent absurdity of talking to a machine.
• Cathy also discusses the future of conversational AI and the possibilities it holds, such as providing companionship and reducing loneliness.