Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Microsoft Formally Introduces Zo, Its Latest AI-Powered Chatbot (windowscentral.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the better-luck-next-time dept.

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Windows Central: Microsoft is surging forward with its commitment to artificial intelligence (AI), formally announcing its latest chatbot, Zo. In a post outlining its commitment to AI, Microsoft introduced Zo as the next chapter in the evolution of its attempts to create a social chatbot. Zo is built on the back of the same technology that powers Microsoft's other chatbots in China and Japan, Xiaoice and Rinna. Zo is meant to learn from her interactions with humans, and is able to respond to conversations with her own personality. In a nod to an awkward turn of events involving Microsoft's last attempt at a social chatbot, Tay, the company notes that Zo has guards in place to prevent exploitation. While you can currently only strike up a conversation with Zo on Kik messenger, Microsoft says it has plans to bring the chatbot to Skype and Facebook Messenger as well. Still, if you use Kik, you can start a conversation up with Zo now. Otherwise, head to Zo.ai to request an invite to chat with the bot on Messenger when it's available.

6 of 56 comments (clear)

  1. Zo, are you married already? by turkeydance · · Score: 2

    such a nice man. find a nice girl.

    1. Re:Zo, are you married already? by invictusvoyd · · Score: 3, Funny

      such a nice man. find a nice girl.

      Psst .. you know what she did to Nokia right ?

  2. zo what by invictusvoyd · · Score: 2

    Zo introduces microsfot it's latest AI powdered chatbot

  3. Hey Zo, guess what I'm wearing... by hyades1 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "Hey Zo, guess what I'm wearing..."

    Zo: "Since you have Windows 10 on your machine, I already know."

    --
    I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
  4. Re:Right... by jader3rd · · Score: 2

    I'll just sit here and wait for the Nazi sex robot to evolve again.

    It won't happen again, without your contribution.

  5. Re:What do *humans* need a chatbot for? by AmiMoJo · · Score: 2

    They want to make computers like the one on Star Trek, where you can have a natural language conversation with them.

    See Google's latest voice assistant. It's quite chatty, and unlike most others it remembers context so you can ask "who is the president of France?" and follow it up with "where was he born?", and it will know who "he" is. You can be somewhat non-specific and it will use some "common sense" to fill in the blanks too.

    This could also have applications in care too. Japan is already deploying robots to look after the elderly. Kinda like having a pet, except that if you fall over it can call an ambulance for you too.

    There seems to be demand, judging by the many talking robot scams on Indigogo.

    --
    const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
    SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC