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A comment on Google Duplex: An AI System for Accomplishing Real World Tasks Over the Phone. Parent comment

Re:Google Duplex: An AI System for Accomplishing Real World ... by nathan_f77 on Tuesday May 08, 2018 @11:27PM (#17027232)
That doesn't sound right. I think you'd pay something like $99 per month for a SaaS product that manages bookings and provides an API. That's how much the average receptionist earns in one day ($12.25 per hour.)
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Re:Google Duplex: An AI System for Accomplishing Real World ... by hug on Wednesday May 09, 2018 @05:24AM (#17028467)
Things that you appear to be missing from your post (but probably totally already know and are just not bothering to mention):

* Most businesses already have a receptionist.

* Most receptionists do not spend measurable fractions of their day answering phonecalls asking when the business is open.

* Taking bookings is really also not the majority of their day.

* Receptionists are capable of a bunch of things that your SaaS booking program is not. Like ordering catering and picking up office supplies.

* A SaaS booking program that is looked over by a human doesn't have to have AI-systems, because they just have I-systems. A human receptionist.

* The inevitable job-post catchall "Other duties as required."

* I had a receptionist bring me a beer once while I was waiting and I'm pretty sure none of your SaaS solutions will do that.

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Re:Google Duplex: An AI System for Accomplishing Real World ... by salehhamadeh on Tuesday May 08, 2018 @11:45PM (#17027281)
And $20,000 to get someone who knows how to install such a system to do the job.
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Re:Google Duplex: An AI System for Accomplishing Real World ... by indemnity on Tuesday May 08, 2018 @11:53PM (#17027308)
What is installed when using a SaaS solution?
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Re:Google Duplex: An AI System for Accomplishing Real World ... by FatalBaboon on Wednesday May 09, 2018 @03:34AM (#17028022)
Well there is initial setup at the very least. Hooking up whatever landline the client has with the SaaS solution.

Then whenever a significant change is required, you need to call back your "expert". New location? xk$, etc.

But I think the biggest concern is that suddently the owner does not understand how his reversation system works. He used to be able to call Joe and know what's going on...

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Re:Google Duplex: An AI System for Accomplishing Real World ... by TeMPOraL on Wednesday May 09, 2018 @08:44AM (#17029342)
Also, whatever the SaaS system is, I bet you it's significantly less efficient than a receptionist using paper and desktop software.

Web systems are almost never built for productivity.

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Re:Google Duplex: An AI System for Accomplishing Real World ... by dzhiurgis on Wednesday May 09, 2018 @10:02AM (#17029868)
It is customised against each business model. Some are same, some are different.

The issue isn't universal API, but universal data models which is probably impossible.

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Re:Google Duplex: An AI System for Accomplishing Real World ... by s73v3r_ on Wednesday May 09, 2018 @11:48AM (#17030735)
Someone needs to maintain that API; update it with the schedule of the stylists or update it for holiday hours, or remove availability for bookings done the old fashioned way.
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