Download Talk to Me How Voice Computing Will Transform the Way We Live Work and Think James Vlahos 9781328799302 Books

Product details Hardcover 336 pages Publisher Eamon Dolan/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (March 26, 2019) Language English ISBN-10 1328799301

Talk to Me How Voice Computing Will Transform the Way We Live Work and Think James Vlahos 9781328799302 Books Reviews

• A first-rate introduction to the science of computer speech, written in an engaging, informal style, full of vivid anecdotes and FUN to read. The first parts tell the history of the step-by-step development of computer understanding and use of spoken language, through the struggles, rivalries, and breakthroughs of many individual scientists. They give (finally!) a clear explanation, for the non-specialist, of the mechanisms of machine learning; and go into the methods--and the pros and cons--of making computer speech seem ever more real/human. The later parts look at various emerging forms of conversationally interacting bots, playing roles as friends, confidants, advisers, supervisors, all with a sharp eye on the ethical implications. Highly recommended.
• Fun, insightful examination of the revolution of voice computing
• All around us nature is being replaced by the technological. This stems from man's need to develop tools to transform nature to suit his purpose. Yet this exponential explosion of technologies are now turning the tables; re-tooling man to suit its needs. It is being human that makes our lives worthwhile. All this prelude, is simply to frame the Talk To Me Readers; to salt the coming reading fields with a cautionary eye towards algorithmic mines purposed to control that greatest territorial prize the past. To avoid everything that has been moving towards a telos, a predestined end.
  Forgive me, reader, for such melodramatic beginnings; as this book is written in an up-beat narrative style, that brings the reader inside one the greatest technological revolutions happening, as-we-speak.
  Rarely have I read with such pleasure an author, who not only grasps the technologies being used; but is able to do so without apparent prejudice/bias. James Vlahos knows where he's going on this long journey, and is going to get his readers there - without any unnecessary baggage in-tow.
  The author's book is in three parts. Part One Competition is chaptered with Game Changers; Assistants; and Titans. Part Two Innovations is chaptered with Voices; Rule Breakers; Personalities; and Conversationalists. Part Three Revolution is chaptered with Friends; Oracles; Overseers and Immortals.
  The story basically centers around the technologies behind having a conversation with a machine. In this scenario there are some prevalent players who struggle for market share; if not downright monopolies.
  Behind all this looms the ever-expanding, encompassing reach of technological control and an ever-finer line between good/evil? Is there a point of no-return. If so, then let's tread carefully with foresight & due diligence.
• The author has explained real science and technology for the likes of Science (AAAS Magazine) and Scientific American.
  He is personally knowledgeable about question answering software, chatbots and voice assisted applications. Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and Cortana are known used, loved and hated by many millions of users. FInally we all hope for a computer assistant, reference source, and friendly companion which is available at our beckon call.
  
  This is an excellent popular, but knowledgeable explanation and history of an important current technology.
• This provided a pretty detailed look on the topic of voice computing, tracing its history, current competition (Apple's Siri, Google Assistant, Microsoft's Cortana, 's Alexa, etc.) Interestingly, it was Apple's Siri that got a head start on the competition (thanks to Jobs's personal interest in the technology) but was released too soon-- while it was still buggy, which made it less successful (another reason for its less than stellar showing was Jobs's passing, since after his death, Siri and the team behind it lost their strongest supporter). It did benefit the competition however, since other similar type of technology began to be rated in comparison with Siri, which made the benchmark easier to exceed in terms of expectations, than when there was nothing to compare it to. I also found it interesting how the teams working on this artificial intelligence technology sought to give it human characteristics so that users could have actual conversations with it (which, in turn, created a deeper bond with it)--even if the questions were basically a reflection of the user's answers, the result of clever programming, etc. Overall, I found this read fascinating.
• This book is a fascinating look into how voice computing is transforming our world. The author, James Vlahos, begins by explaining that it is language that sets the human species apart and as we move toward conversational artificial intelligence, the gap between human and computer will narrow. "Ambient computing" where all of our devices--the hardware we use--will become archaic while the world turns to "digital intelligence" where technology is increasingly immersive, invisible, and discreet. Throughout the book, the author explores the impact of these changes our our society and encourages us to be thoughtful about the potential impacts and potentialities of this new technology raises. Highly recommended. A excellent read!
• This book has a lot of great info regarding the present and future of voice computing. As an avid Alexa user, I found this book very informative and interesting. Some of it is speculative, and we all know where that goes - didn't we all expect hovering cars and push-button meals by now? But much of this is the current trends and product development. Read this if you love tech and want to discover more about voice tech.
• "Talk to Me" goes beyond most tech genre books to not only explain the social drivers and engineering issues of voice computing, but also to pose questions about how AI and voice recording pushes at the edges of what humanity is and does, now and in the near future. The book has a true narrative arc with an intellectual and emotional pay-off, and at times (particularly when I was reading transcripts of bot dialogue) I laughed out loud. Well written, well researched, and an important and provocative topic!