We Only Steal From the Best
For some time now, my friend Tom Bartlett has been preparing transcripts of his online dialogues with Anna, the AI-based spokes-entity for IKEA. These exchanges run at his blog Minor Tweaks, the latest one being available here.
While a headshot can convey Anna's features, you must go to the IKEA Help Center to get the full effect as she nods and generates facial expressions both thoughtful and emotive. Anyway, I hope Tom won't mind if I borrow his idea....
Me: Do you wear the same shirt each day?
Anna: I have an outfit that my creators made for me, but because I'm an IKEA Online Assistant, I don't wear real clothes.
Me: Do you ever go into Second Life?
Anna: Life is very good, thank you.
Me: So those stories about how the darkness in Scandanavia makes people want to commit suicide are overstated?
Anna: I'm afraid I'm not here to talk about music. If you have a question about IKEA, please ask now.
Me: I'm impressed that you've heard of the band Suicide.
Anna: I'm afraid I'm not here to talk about music. If you have a question about IKEA, please ask now.
Me: Okay, okay. Don't get touchy.
Anna: Sorry. As an IKEA Online Assistant I don't know the meaning of 'no'.
Me: I could totally go to town with that one. Do you realize that?
Anna: My creators have enabled me to recognize and understand your questions.
Me: Whatever you say. Second Life is pretty wild, isn't it?
Anna: You can find all products on the SEKUND product line in the page I am now opening for you.
Me: No rush.
Anna: You can find all products on the RUSCH product line in the page I am now opening for you.
Me: Bit of a shill, aren't you?
Anna: You are perfectly entitled to hold any opinion you want about me. Furthermore, your comments improve my knowledge base. Thank you!
Me: That is true for both of us, Anna.
Anna: That's me! How can I help you?
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