Sons and daughters of HAL go on line; with chatterbots on the web, conversation can be surprising, or surprisingly limited
Article Abstract:
Chatterbots are programs that mimic humans in conversations with real people or other chatterbots. Originally for amusement, chatterbots are being developed to have uses as helper applications that can answer peoples' natural language questions about a particular topic, software or service. As the goal of artificial intelligence draws closer, chatterbots are expected to serve as the interface between the computer intelligence and a user. Online services like Excite and My Simon are developing chatterbots for use now to help users with their online shopping. The Turing test for the attainment of artificial intelligence, posited in 1950 by Alan Turing, states that when a human being is unable to distinguish between a computer and a real human in specified interactions, then artificial intelligence will have been attained. A Turing test for chatterbots, known as the Loebner Competition, was set up in 1991 to pick the current program that most closely attains this goal. Web sites devoted to bots include www.loebner.net, www.toptown.com/hp/sjlaven, www.botspot.com and birch.eecs.lehigh.edu/alice/forbin.html
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1999
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Name that fare!
Article Abstract:
World Wide Web sites can help summer travelers plan vacations quickly and perhaps at reduced fares. A prominent example is Priceline.com, which has spent millions of dollars to advertise its online auction. Chmn Jay Walker said the company has sold 40,000 tickets and generated more than $10 million in revenue since its Apr 1998 inception. Priceline customers can access its Web site or use the telephone to submit bids, which must include an itinerary and price. The service checks for available seats and responds to customers within an hour for domestic flights and 24 hours for international flights, Priceline said. Most major US airlines, which offer their own rival online promotions, do not cooperate with Priceline's free service. Priceline holds agreements with an unspecified 15 US and international carriers, according to Walker. Some customers have been frustrated by Priceline's restrictions on travel times and possible stops or connections.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1998
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An on-line deal for Bertelsmann
Article Abstract:
Bertelsmann AG and America Online are forming a joint venture to develop on-line computer services for the European market. Bertelsmann, the largest media company in Germany, plans to invest $100 million in the development effort and will also make a $50 million investment for a 5% stake in America Online. The service will be developed first for Germany and later for France and Britain. There are not very many users of on-line services in Europe and analysts expect the market to grow to $3 billion over five years. Bertelsmann and America Online say that this expected growth is the reason that the two companies need to claim a stake in the market. The joint venture will be a 50/50 deal and will give Bertelsmann access to technology it needs while giving America Online access to huge media assets.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1995
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