In a groundbreaking development, tech CEO Sam Liang has predicted that by the end of this year, artificial intelligence (AI) avatars will be able to attend work meetings on behalf of human employees. Liang, the chief executive of Otter, believes that these AI avatars will possess the ability to act, talk, and solve problems just like the worker they are based on. Liang, who himself attends numerous meetings each day, saw the need for a tech-driven solution to alleviate the time and productivity drain caused by these meetings.
“A prototype can be made working later this year,” Liang explained to Business Insider. “AI models are generally trained using a set of data to get them to behave in human-like ways. AI avatars should be trained on the recorded meeting notes and voice data of the specific people they’re trying to replicate, so that they can act and converse exactly like them. Once they have enough information, the avatars (in theory) will be able to speak in the cadence of individual workers, participate in conversations, and answer questions based on the worker’s unique perspectives.”
Trials conducted by Liang’s company have shown promising results, with AI avatars successfully answering 90 percent of the questions they encountered during meetings. For the remaining 10 percent, the avatars sent the questions to human workers with a note requesting assistance. Liang firmly believes that these AI avatars will save employees time and enhance their productivity. By deploying these virtual bots to handle meetings focused on customer support, sales, and team updates, employees can utilize the extra time to concentrate on more creative tasks, ultimately leading to increased profitability for companies.
Despite the undeniable potential of AI avatars, there are challenges that need to be addressed. One significant hurdle is integrating emotional intelligence into the AI persona, enabling it to actively participate in meetings by expressing the appropriate level of emotion, raising its voice when necessary, and remaining composed when required. This aspect of AI development represents yet another significant stride in the field, which is rapidly becoming an integral part of the global landscape and transforming business operations.
However, there are individuals and organizations cautioning against the rapid proliferation of AI. The Future of Life Institute, a non-profit organization focused on reducing catastrophic risks associated with advanced AI, released an open letter in March 2023 calling for a six-month pause on training AI systems more powerful than OpenAI’s GPT-4. The letter warned that the race to develop powerful AI minds has led to a situation where even the creators themselves cannot understand, predict, or reliably control these technologies. Additionally, the expanding capabilities of AI may lead to significant job displacement, making it increasingly difficult for humans to learn new skills and transition to new industries.
Another concern is the potential for AI to become so powerful that it poses a threat to humanity. Politicians and tech leaders alike must remain vigilant and take steps to prevent the unintended consequences of unchecked AI advancement. As AI continues to mature, it is essential for society to strike a balance between reaping the benefits of this transformative technology and safeguarding our collective well-being.
The advent of AI avatars attending work meetings represents an exciting frontier for both the business world and the field of AI. While there are challenges and ethical considerations to address, the potential time savings and increased productivity offered by AI avatars could revolutionize the way we work. As developments progress, it will be fascinating to witness the evolution of technology and the impact it has on our daily lives.
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