Interactive Story Reach Extended via Facebook

By admin | Published: February 20, 2010

Ah, the wonders of XMPP. We are pleased to be demo’ing some of our interactive stories through Facebook chat now. Since Facebook requires manual verification of adding Friends, we’ll add you after receiving notification; but, there may be a slight lag. We’ll work on automating that process. Please send us an eMail for more information, including access to our Demo page.

For information on FACEBOOK’S evolution to XMPP and how to incorporate this into sites, please see:  http://blog.facebook.com/blog.php?post=297991732130

We’re also running through ICQ, AIM, MSN/Live and Yahoo – but, FACEBOOK is a great addition to the network.

20 February 2010

Posted in AI conversational network | Comments closed

Talking to the Television Screen – Interactive Stories

By admin | Published: February 19, 2010

We’ve been asked “why?”

As in, “why” did we develop and launch an interactive story engine for entertainment, advertising, ESL and beyond?

After producing one of the initial internet television series (with a Broadcast release), there was a frustration that we were putting linear/passive/lean-back Content into an interactive environment. All the transmedia efforts in the world couldn’t overcome the basic nature of linear video. It’s a lean-back kind of thing.

Moving into production on interactive video content was natural. And, after producing a range of Content for National and International Brands based on visual interactivity — something was still missing.

We wanted (as Users) to engage and interact WITH THE STORY itself. Engage with the characters. Within our suspension of disbelief, we want to believe the characters understand us on some personal level.

That was the impetus –  the “why”  — we built contentAI studios and the new interactive story engine. When we watch a video segment, we want to lean-forward and engage in a conversation and pick up more Story, i.e. participate in the Story, then, lean back and enjoy.

Now, you don’t have to incorporate video and old media story telling within our interactive platform — but, it’s a lot of fun when you do.  New distribution tentacles such as WAVE are ideal for building new, interactive experiences that allow the User to participate within the Story…after all, 50% of each conversation is UGC…

19 February 2010

Posted in Transmedia Content and AI | Comments closed

Platform Launch – Interactive Story Demo(s) Alive and Kicking

By admin | Published: January 22, 2010

Our bright new shiny story-engine came out of QA polished and ready to go.  The new features are remarkable, but, instead of talking about them, it’s best to take it for a spin.  We’ll be adding SMS and Twitter integration soon, but, for the short-term we’re using Gtalk and AIM IDs and chat clients; with a roadmap to quickly add WAVE to our network (which will allow the ability to push files within story conversation).  Please contact us by email for access to the demo(s).

22 January 2010

Posted in AI conversation, Introduction, Mobile | Comments closed

New Year – New Interactive Story Platform Release

By admin | Published: January 8, 2010

We had to make some tough decisions in Q4/09 — We saw the continuous need to quickly integrate with 3rd Party partner platforms; as well, we needed a path to incorporate 3rd Party Speech Recognition and text-to-Speech capabilities sooner than later. We needed our platform to anticipate integration, not struggle through adaptation time and again. We needed to provide Clients with the ability to scale instantly.

That meant undertaking a “Page One” rebuild…which meant a lot of transitions…

New team members, new hardware, code, and the Cloud – Coupled with fresh thinking — to do a round-the-clock, over the Holidays, entire rebuild that provides amazing stability and scalability.

Welcome to the New Year. While we had to set aside certain Content development during that time-period, but we’re now in full-swing and will be releasing new Demo content in the coming weeks…and, beginning our integration with Partners for new delivery channels.

Happy New Year to All…

8 January 2010

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Cross Platform Conversional Story Shaping

By admin | Published: November 26, 2009

contentAI are developing a franchise property to be released across a range of conversational platforms: SMS, Chat, Twitter and Mobile web. While some of the Content will be identical, some of the platforms require “re-shaping” of the Content to sync with both the technical and User Experience parameters inherent to the platform.

Announcements coming soon with regard to new Partnership relationships that will expand our network reach and add new options to elevate the User Experience.

26 November 2009

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AI Story and Shaped Conversations…some thoughts

By admin | Published: October 24, 2009

“How are you different from…?”

That’s a question we are often asked in our conversations. We re-tweak our site message and PR, but, it’s still a fair question, particularly, when the field of AI conversational agents (“bots”) has been around for awhile and seems a bit stale. That said, we do feel there are Companies doing innovative work with “site agents” who now can streamline a User’s experience in navigating a site, etc., and those are great to see.

But, back to the question — How are we different?

An analogy would be the movie LAST ACTION HERO, where a boy from the “real world” jumps into a movie. Then, later, the “character” from the movie, comes out to the real world. Most AI conversational agents and technology tries to simulate a ‘character’ being a helper or guide in the “real world.”

Here, our interactive story experiences utilize artificial intelligence and interactive writing to bring the “real world User” into the movie (which is the “story”). “Story” controls the shape and experience. And, like a movie, our stories are generally created in Acts, where the AI character has an internal motivation to guide the “real person” to get to the end of the Act, and, then to proceed into the next Act. Simultaneously, we’ve brought the “story” into the real world, put it in the User’s hands (mobile)…thereby, converging the two spaces.

For Brands, this means their message and purpose is more readily accomplished.

For “real people,” the Users, it is a chance to “step into the movie and become part of the adventure.” After all, isn’t that the purpose of “story?” To transport a Person into an experience they want to be engaged and participate?

In summary, our “characters” are not passive, backed up by a database of answers (though, they have that database), but, they are pro-active, in guiding the interactive experience.

24 October 2009

Posted in AI conversation, Transmedia Content and AI, writing | Comments closed

More Mobile Reach – Gtalk – Context Aware Storytelling ahead…

By admin | Published: October 13, 2009

In addition to the ongoing development with our artificial intelligence engine along with the story and character overlay engines, the focus of the past month has been on integrating with partner platforms to expand our distribution reach with an emphasis on mobile solutions.

We’ve added SMS capability as well as Gtalk (Google Talk). Gtalk on many mobile devices is a very clean interface that also allows us to incorporate Links to images (digital coupons). We are working on more elegant solutions for instant “Guest” access, rather than “adding” via Google, AIM and other IDs.

Where do we see this going? We’re expanding story telling to physical spaces and objects (In Store, events, product labeling etc.). By tying in with GPS or Bluetooth, we can deliver “context aware storytelling” based on the User’s location.

Fascinating prospects.

13 October 2009

Posted in AI conversational network, Mobile | Comments closed

SMS Reach for contentAI Conversational Characters

By admin | Published: October 6, 2009

Reading MOBILE MARKETER re: NBC/Heroes and their Mobile campaign that includes “messages from characters.”

Now, what if it could include SMS messaging WITH characters?

It can.  contentAI studios have just completed beta test integration with an SMS platform partner that is extremely cost efficient (not per message pricing), where our “characters” can engage in SMS conversations with Users.

The first thing we noted was how basic Text Messaging is a great User Experience with AI characters.  “It’s addicting” was the common response from our beta testers.  While proprietary apps may include more bells and whistles, basic Text Messaging for conversation is fast (apx. :08 second reply times) and clean.

As we’ve been assessing and adding In Store::Mobile solutions, this one is excellent.  And, of course, the “conversations with” film and television characters is a space we’ve targeted for transplatform story-telling.  We utilize an SMS shortcode plus Brand identifier to start a conversational session. User’s opt-in their Replies to keep the discussion going.

User’s can also subscribe for further alerts or “next episode” updates for extended conversations.  Please CONTACT US for access to Beta character TXT shortcodes to try for yourself.

6 October 2009

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Simulated Humans and AI: Engaging the End User through Story

By admin | Published: September 22, 2009

Some thoughts on the MIT/Stanford VLAB gathering last week entitled: RISE OF THE MACHINES, Artificial Intelligence and Business:

The Panel consisted of those in robotics, “intelligent” ad placement engines and utilitarian “personal assistant” apps that acquire realtime knowledge from partner domains and reshape it for the End User. All very interesting and robust technologies.

However, what was lacking was any discussion re: the “human” side of Artificial Intelligence and the extensive business applications that open up when AI is focused on simulated humans, not only on data retrieval and data driven response.

Historically, it’s been chatbot and IVR platforms that have sought to carve out limited business apps based on (mainly) pre-scripted customer service products with some level of natural language processing; it was interesting that there were no companies represented on the panel from that side of the coin – However the Moderator did open with a statement about how there “…should be an AI TWITTER character on the panel.” (if he’d only asked, we’d have provided one).

To emulate humans and “connect” with the End User AI character/agents must engage in story. Humans relate and respond to one another through story…it’s how we remember. Creating AI characters in a story environment is an interdisciplinary craft that has AI technology at it’s heart, but requires additional features and skills. Why do humans spend so much time watching television (old tv or internet tv), movies, reading or re-telling the events of the day over dinner? The need for “story” remains essential to the human experience. Interaction with AI characters in a story-based context delivers extensive and valuable business applications for AI.

People are attracted to good stories. And, they enjoy re-telling them (stories are viral).

When we consider how Mobile and Retail In-Store relationships between Brands and Consumers will evolve, particularly with mobile devices, we think about connecting and engaging the Consumer by bringing them into the story making process. This creates a memorable and impressionable experience that goes beyond the transfer of data. It fulfills an essential need for story-based communication. For transplatform story and media properties the inclusion of User conversation and engagement is a unique tentacle to add into the matrix.

Will machines will be perceived as human as they become great story tellers?

contentAI studios have story and character “overlay engines” that work in conjunction with the core artificial intelligence engine; when combined, they create fascinating storydriven conversational experiences that are rich in knowledge and can also connect on a near-human level.

The conversational experiences are further enhanced through the sourcing of real time data via 3rd party APIs or other processes, as well as the inclusion of “memory fields” to personalize each conversation. The AI “characters” we create are multi-dimensional and deliver an End User experience that simulates human interaction; all drivenby a core AI conversational engine that continues to self evolve and evolve through new programming initiatives.

We thrive on interdisciplinary AI technologies and techniques. That’s our story.

22 September 2009

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Mobile User Experience @ In Store Level – AI Conversations between Products and Customers

By admin | Published: September 21, 2009

The applications and range of delivery options for conversational artificial intelligence products are extensive. contentAI studios is expanding it’s integration capabilities to reach that range.

However, we’re often asked “Where will it permeate people’s everyday lives first?”

One scenario is at the Retail level, between products/brands and consumers. Where “conversations” between product avatars/characters will engage the Consumer and provide more than data; it will provide a memorable connection through conversation.

From AdAge HERE. “…the killer app of mobile media may yet be in the store, as more consumers use their mobile devices to scan barcodes…”

And, we see Microsoft Tags finally coming out with a bit of fanfare this month HERE; which is a platform we’ve watched closely since it’s Beta launch.

What do we envision? Stir these concepts and technologies around, add conversational artificial intelligence for mass communication with a “personal touch,” then watch the retail experience evolve into an entirely new Consumer/User Experience as the line blurs between the real world and digital world.

UPDATE: 23 September 2009:  Continued discussion from MOBILEMARKETER.COM from Mobile Ad Summit Panel:  “…Mobile goes far beyond simple ads, which is why it’s one of the most exciting platforms out there…”

We agree.

Also noting 23 Sept gigaOM post re:  The Superphone Era Demands an Improved Retail Experience. Our conversational Apps could readily be applied to adding value in that space…

21 September 2009

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