Elizabeth Barrette (ysabetwordsmith) wrote,
Elizabeth Barrette
ysabetwordsmith
  • Mood: busy

Uncanny Valley: The Audio Version

I got to talking with some friends about the uncanny valley, and then I found this video of two chatbots talking together.  The imagery is basically two talking heads, with a voiceover. The uncanny valley effect works in audio as well as visual mode, and it is creepy.  For those of you whose impaired vision has left you out of the uncanny valley based on sight, here's a chance to experiment with hearing it instead.  Or anyone else who thinks it's cool.

The conversation runs 6:37.  I didn't last a minute before tapping out.  Other friends variably lasted about two minutes, and less than ten seconds.  How long can you make it?
Tags: cyberspace theory, linguistics, networking, science, video
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  • 2 comments

Deleted comment

unmutual

unmutual

July 7 2015, 16:32:42 UTC 5 years ago

I'm with you - didn't find it creepy at all. I tapped out because it was pointless to listen further.
siege

siege

July 8 2015, 02:46:08 UTC 5 years ago

This is the general level of conversational intelligence. But then I recall there's a robot that can watch YouTube videos and people in person to learn physical skills -- which is the sort of intelligence that is going to turn us all out of low-end service jobs like fast food.

So AI right now is doing better in the body skills than in the abstract intelligence category. And that's just about where we need it, for now... as long as our economies adapt to support those of us who won't be employed anymore.