Have you ever been prompted by a website to chat with a representative for help? If you click yes there is a reasonable chance that representative is a computerized virtual customer service agent. But if you’re a sad lonely person who doesn’t need help deciding on which insurance policy is right for you then you might click on it just for the thrill of a little cold electronic programed interaction. Or, you’ve been duped and you think you’re chatting with a real live person somewhere in North Dakota who might totally send you a picture of their naughty bits.
The makers of the virtual agents, VirtuOz, is on to your scheme and has built in polite responses to your marriage requests. When a VentureBeat reporter tried to pick up on an AT&T virtual agent out she was politely turned down and pushed back to telecommunications (boring!).
Me: Are you single?
Charlie: That’s kind of you to say. But remember I’m a virtual agent, not a person. All I can do is answer your questions about our site and AT&T products and services.
The Michelin Man gives the exact same canned response. When asked if the Vietnamese people are grateful for everything Michelin has done for them all the big rolly man can come up with is a suggestion that he tell you about company history.
It is inevitable that virtual agents will be asked about sex, religion, 42, politics and the answer to basic math problems so companies that make these systems are smart to get ready for the onslaught of bored internet denizens pelting their agents with inappropriate questions.
Source: VentureBeat
