Personalized engagement with a User via Mobile.  For both eDialogue and personalized AR, this is exactly what we can deliver today.

17 May 2010

]]> http://contentAI.com/http:/contentAI.com/edialogue-talk-to-the-wall/feed/ 0 http://contentAI.com/http:/contentAI.com/cross-platform-conversional-story-shaping/ http://contentAI.com/http:/contentAI.com/cross-platform-conversional-story-shaping/#comments Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:46:07 +0000 admin http://contentAI.com/?p=362 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

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

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

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

Yes, AI characters “listen,” in order to understand the End User’s side of the exchange and respond with improvisational/contextual dialogue, or pre-scripted story/character dialogue (or, a combination thereof).

But, how is the End User’s part of the conversation passed along to Brands and Clients to understand and makes sense of the conversation for their own needs?

Through the inclusion of “memory fields” our AI characters achieve two key functions: (a) they relate to each Individual on a personal basis and (b) they provide analytics that breakdown the User’s side of the conversation and engagement. The analytics provide deep insight, not just in terms of engagement, but, in terms of preferences at a detail level not offered through most platforms.

We think about ‘conversational pre-roll” advertising units and other applications where this format becomes valuable for the Brands, as well as the End Users, who want to express themselves and be part of the conversation, because they feel they are being listened to.

1 September 2009