Whether you call it the invisible UI, Conversational UI, Gestural Interface, AR, spatial computing or apply another label that describes interacting with Humane’s A.I. Pin, one thing is clear – the disappearing computer is here. When I first saw this presentation via TED I jumped out of my seat.
They’ve done it! This is incredible and it feels like this is on the path to enable us to have a more natural interaction, more intuitive interaction with computers. When the term Human Computer Interaction, or HCI, as they refer to it in the industry, entered our lexicon I believe this is what they imagined.
That night I showed the video to my 7 year old daughter and explained to her that not only will cars drive themselves when she gets old enough to want one, she’s not likely to want a phone either.
Not only will cars drive themselves, you’re not likely to need a phone either.
Humane has partnered with Qualcomm to create an AI enabled, wearable computer powered by their Snapdragon technology, with the ability to incorporate real-time contextual information into it’s processing power.
If the promise lives up to the hype we could all soon be making eye contact again instead of staring at the floor and into the palm of our hands, looking up only to ask each other to repeat themselves cause we can’t multi-task very well.
AI Generated Retro Modern Inspired Disappearing Computer Conversation, with a Star Trek inspired lapel communicator
Questions to ask and answer.
In the spirit of embracing a user centered design mindset and considering the art of the possible, let’s consider a few thought-starter questions to explore this a bit further. If Humane is making the claim that the computer will disappear and become more integrated into our natural world, or natural interactions with one another what could be the implications?
How might this device improve our ability to interact with one another and facilitate transactions in our day-to-day commerce? If the device has the ability to leverage computer vision to determine context, i.e. I’m in the grocery store, and an ability to confirm identities and approve debit and credit transactions will that remove the friction in those interactions?
Why should we integrate this type of technology into our lives, and how else can we apply it? Would it be appropriate for some contexts and environments and not others? For example would it be inappropriate or not really feasible in the grocery store example above? Would it require more technology, more infrastructure, another terminal or payment authorization device or would the grocery store employee be also required to wear one to ID me? What if not all customers have one?
I stopped for coffee the other day at my local coffee shop and there were 4 additional screens between myself and the barista in order to conduct the transaction. There was the card reader display, the rewards and loyalty product on another tablet to enter my phone number, the POS terminal they were using and of course my phone. I had to interact with at least 3 of them.
How will our behaviors and actions change when computing like this is everywhere, always sensing, always seeing, always listening? Is this a potential modifier of human behavior that will drive us toward more accountable behaviors, more empathy towards one another, or will we continue to be less than our best selves when we think no-one is watching?
Scenarios and use cases.
- Employee / employer accountability – consider the AI Pin as your new employee badge to verify your identity
- Employee productivity and performance – with verified identity it enables easier access to locations, provides context for introductions and interactions and monitors how you interact to provide ‘in the moment feedback’
- Government issued credentials – when entering areas requiring secure access such as federal buildings or ports of entry, or for civilians to more easily transact at the DMV
- Hospital and clinical settings – consider the AI Pin as a physicians assistant, observing symptoms or suggesting treatments or second opinions on the spot
- Entertainment – capture, record and memorialize family vacations, trips, concerts or other activities
Historically as new interaction models or ways of engaging with technology emerge it fundamentally changes our expectations and introduces an acceleration of adoption. By removing the computer, the screens, the need to learn how to follow steps and press buttons the AI Pin is primed to be just that type of catalyst – hopefully moving us toward a more natural human interaction with the world, complimented by technology rather than held captive to it.
