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

That has become the “elevator pitch” opener for us.  We’re in the “conversational content” business.

We create new ad formats based on conversation.  We can provide eLearning tools through conversation.  We engage users through conversation and 50% of the “content” is User Generated (otherwise our AI Characters are just talking to themselves; which, actually occurred yesterday during a re-boot, as our Twitter Character thought “she” should respond to the “temporarily unavailable” message on her account — while curious, we cut off her “talking to herself” after a few exchanges).

We’re not the only folks seeing this as an important and emerging space, noting “conversation as content” posts  HERE and HERE.  The background Big Picture is nicely presented HERE, which presents this as a near epoch making shift in human::machine interaction.

It’s a fascinating area to be constructing and facilitating Content, where value is added to all sides and terrific User Experiences are paramount.

24 July 2009

So, of course, we say, “why not?”

We decided to open up the original beta bot “JEENEY” (@jeeneyAI) to converse with Users via Twitter.

It’s a lot of fun.

Unlike most ‘Tweets, this is far more conversational;  Users receive replies, typically in under :90 seconds (sometimes instantly).

While this distribution offering is in Beta, while we determine server specs, etc., we’re only providing private beta invites to hang out with @jeeneyAI — the first conversational AI character to ‘Tweet.  CONTACT US if you’d like an invite.

ASIDE: We are well aware of the obvious concerns this will raise.   We believe there are great opportunities for creative stories, characters and Brands connecting with Users through this format.

16 July 2009

The term “Content” has become synonymous with film, video, audio and written media materials.

We chose the URL and Brand “contentAI studios” to expand the definition of “Content” to include conversation.

Conversation between humans (User Generated Content, “UGC”) and digital characters powered by Artificial Intelligence engines.

Welcome to the intersection of UGC and digital characters. 

Where the User becomes part of the story making process.

8 July 2009