Adam Cheyer, Co-Founder, Siri // Invisible Machines S2E1
Jul 1, 2023
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Inventor, entrepreneur, and researcher Adam Cheyer joins the hosts to discuss the creation and challenges of Siri, including a design debate with Steve Jobs. They explore the evolution of computing interfaces, the importance of emotional intelligence, and the boundaries of technology. A fascinating conversation on conversational AI.
Siri's early vision as a transformative interface was hindered by its popularity, showcasing the challenges of evolving and experimenting with conversational AI.
The evolving nature of conversational AI poses challenges in terms of innovation, experimentation, and maintaining user satisfaction.
The integration of conversational technology with other modalities, like augmented reality, allows for a seamless and efficient interaction with machines.
Deep dives
Siri's Early Capabilities and Potential: An Interview with Adam Chayer
Adam Chayer, co-creator of Siri, discusses how Siri was ahead of its time with its app paradigm, advanced backend capabilities, and two-way interactions. He highlights the early vision and potential of Siri as a transformative interface, with Steve Jobs fully understanding its game-changing ability.
The Stifling Effect of Siri's Popularity
The popularity of Siri led to challenges in innovation and experimentation, as the massive user base influenced the direction and decisions made by Apple. The adoption and pervasiveness of Siri hindered its evolution and slowed down the realization of its original vision. The limitations imposed by its popularity showcased the difficulty of evolving and experimenting with conversational AI as it becomes more integral to users' lives.
The Challenges of Conversational AI Evolution
The evolving nature of conversational AI poses challenges in terms of innovation, experimentation, and evolution. The more integral conversational AI becomes to users' lives, the harder it becomes to drive forward and make changes without having a massive impact. The race to deliver on the promise of conversational AI while maintaining user satisfaction and avoiding negative consequences requires careful planning, vetting, and decision-making.
The Importance of Context and Multimodal Interaction
The integration of conversational technology with other modalities, such as augmented reality, enables a seamless and intuitive user experience. The ability to leverage voice as an advanced modality for task completion, combined with the power of visuals and gestures, allows for a more holistic and efficient interaction with machines. The future of interfaces lies in the perfect synthesis of direct manipulation and conversational capabilities, enabling users to seamlessly shift between modes of interaction.
The Future of Conversational AI and the Challenges Ahead
The emergence of large language models like Chat GPT and advancements in conversational AI are paving the way for the future. However, challenges such as discovery, boundaries, and compositional actions still need to be addressed. The journey to creating more intimate, personalized, and seamless conversational experiences across industries and businesses requires ongoing development, refinement, and coordination among various services and technologies.
Robb and Josh welcome inventor, entrepreneur, and researcher Adam Cheyer for a conversation about the long road leading up to the breakthrough ChatGPT moment. As one of the co-creators of Siri, Adam shares stories from his time at Apple, including a memorable design debate with Steve Jobs that he wishes he'd won. This is a fascinating exploration of conversational AI with two innovators who have been working with this technology for decades—both Robb and Adam have extensive backgrounds in the field.
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