At Google I/O in May 2018, Google introduced Google Duplex, the artificial intelligence that lets Assistant do searches for you. Broadcasting live on stage, Google Assistant phoned to reserve a table at a restaurant before making an appointment with the hairdresser. Closer to humans than ever before, Google Assistant ended the “conversation” with a few signs of hesitation. “The system makes speech as natural as possible and allows people to speak normally” Google explained.
Google Duplex: The assistant who called you enters the first testing phase
Faced with the skepticism caused by this public demonstration, Google invited a number of journalists to the meeting. Test the first version of Google Duplex. Initially, Mountain View firm will test this new service “to a handful of certified testers”.
Our colleagues at The Verge say they’re particularly impressed with Google Duplex’s ability. “The voice sounded much more human than usual” Reassures the media stating that “c”.Every call begins with a clear statement that the call was recorded”. As Google promised, Google Assistant will have to warn you about the absence of people during calls. “I follow Google’s auto-booking service, so I’ll save the search” explains Google Duplex before each communication. Media also Google Duplex decreased in a few voices and personalities. You will not necessarily have the impression that you are communicating with the same artificial intelligence during each call.
Same observation as our colleagues from 20Minutes. “Change is fluid and follows one another with no gaps, AI perfectly dictates when to listen or speak” The daily news assuring that an American colleague still managed to get the AI in trouble. According to Google, Duplex manages to complete 80% of queries. The remaining 20% is taken over by a human operator installed in the call center and forced to finalize the reservation.
“No, we did not create a general AI” Explains Scott Huffman, Google Assistant’s vice president of engineering. Duplex is designed to perform a simple task, not to have a real conversation. “To help you be productive” Sundar Pichai drew attention during the Google i/O conference.
Scott Huffman explains that Google is currently testing Google Duplex at a number of partner restaurants in the US. In the summer, the tests will spread to other businesses, such as hair salons. For now, Google Duplex is content with learning a user about an organization’s working hours. In the coming months, the automatic reservation system will be available to all testers. No release date has been announced outside of the US at this time.“Each language has its own characteristics, but it is only a matter of time” Promises Scott Huffman.
