Introducing Google Duplex

At Google I/O 2018, a Google convention for developers, a remarkable new technology was unveiled. Titled Google Duplex, it adds a new level of utility and capability to the Google Assistant, enabling the Google Assistant to make phone calls on the user’s behalf that are nearly indistinguishable from human conversation.

During its unveiling, the demonstration of Google Duplex recieved various reactions from the crowd as the Google Assistant called to schedule a hair appointment as well as make a reservation at a restaurant. More than just that; the Assistant’s requested time for the haircut was not available, so it needed to independently agree upon a different time, and there was a language barrier influencing the conversation as it tried to make a reservation, but it still navigated the conversation properly. The Google Duplex, in the end, was arguably more successful than many people would have been.

This, in and of itself, is enough to make Google Duplex a significant leap forward for its kind of technology, but that wasn’t all Google demonstrated. Not only could Google Duplex intelligently navigate conversations that didn’t always go as planned, it could carry on these conversations while using a natural, human voice, using filler words like “um” and “uh” naturally, casually confirming things with “mhmm” rather than “yes” or even “okay.” Google Duplex could even deal with interruptions while reciting information like phone numbers, picking up where it left off and repeating itself, like a human would over the phone.

Google Duplex takes the information it gathers from its calls and updates a business’ page based on the information it collects. Thus, if Google Duplex calls an organization looking for its hours on Thursdays, the answer it receives will be used to update the results online.

Some have voiced concerns, though, that there is no indication given that the recipient of the phone call is speaking to an automated assistant. What do you think? Have you viewed any of the videos demonstrating these capabilities?