How The Sensay Chatbot Is Providing Actual Human Connection
Chatbots have not seen the success in non-spamming application that we had once hoped. Microsoft's Tay experiment was a massive failure thanks to human interference. Microsoft is trying again with Zo, focusing on the future of chatbots being your best friend. That future is fluid interaction with a programmable and learning artificial intelligence without the assistance of humans. Conversely, In the case of Sensay, the future of bots is one that is just as human as a bot could possibly be. That is, totally human.
Chatbots have a long and storied history culminating with Apple's Siri, Google Home and Amazon Alexa -- machines that follow commands and slowly build conversational application. However, these bots are simply task bots. The modern iteration of a chatbot is not yet built to actually chat, at least, not in the sense that creates an interaction similar to one you'd have with a human. Sensay is built like a bot, appears to be just another random chatbot but instead runs off a human brain -- yours. Or someone else's.
The messaging platform, optimized for Kik, SMS, Slack, Facebook Messenger and Telegram (beta versions for Line, WeChat and Skype are also available) connects you anonymously with real humans to discuss whatever is on your mind. With the slow dehumanization of technology and in effect -- our lives -- Sensay seeks to take advantage of the look and feel of the chatbot technology while still keeping the human element alive and well. The bot asks some leading questions to determine your area(s) of expertise, whether it be television shows or helping people cope with life's problems. After that, it is only a matter of time before a connection is made.
