The New York Times Book Review - Rachel Riederer
…well researched and reported, written by someone with a deep understanding of the tech itself.
Publishers Weekly
02/18/2019
Journalist Vlahos explores the increasingly ubiquitous presence of voice computing in his thought-provoking debut. He convincingly argues that the “latest technological disruption is happening, and it promises to be one of the most sizable and momentous that the world has ever seen.” Vlahos orients the reader with a discussion of the recent developments in voice computing, culminating in Apple’s creation of the Siri tool now integrated into every iPhone, before moving onto Amazon, Google, and Microsoft’s competitive efforts. Vlahos also briefly covers earlier voiced technology, such as Thomas Edison’s talking dolls of the 1870s and Eliza, a psychotherapist chatbot created in the 1960s. Evincing a talent for making the technical both easily understandable and intriguing, he explains how developers today are trying to further improve the user experience through machine learning, the process of “feeding vast amounts of data into computers so they can teach themselves how the world works.” Finally, Vlahos examines recent applications, including Mattel’s work encoding conversational abilities into its Hello Barbie doll, and potential privacy drawbacks. Readers will finish this timely book with a newfound appreciation for, and perhaps some apprehension toward, their favorite voice bot and the technological marvel it represents. (Apr.)
From the Publisher
"Journalist Vlahos explores the increasingly ubiquitous presence of voice computing in his thought-provoking debut. Readers will finish this timely book with a newfound appreciation for, and perhaps some apprehension toward, their favorite voice bot and the technological marvel it represents."—Publishers Weekly “Voice computing will profoundly reshape the way humans relate to machines, and Talk to Me is a brilliant and essential guide to what's coming. James Vlahos understands how the technology works and all the complex things it will bring into the world—and he's a superb writer too. You'll find insights and meaning on every page, and you'll keep turning them. This book is dynamite.”—Nicholas Thompson, editor-in-chief, WIRED "Conversational AI is a genuine paradigm shift in our experience with technology. Vlahos brings the whole story to life, from big picture historical context to the impact on our intimate personal lives. A thoughtful and enjoyable read."—Tom Gruber, co-creator of Siri “James Vlahos has written an excellent book on how voice computing has become more and more of a growing presence in our everyday world. In Talk to Me, he provides the promise and peril of this development.”—Ray Kurzweil, Inventor, Author, and Futurist “In Talk to Me, Vlahos presents a deep analysis of how voice computing and AI are entering nearly every aspect of our day-to-day lives. From the technology to the artistry involved, if you want to understand how we got here and where we’re going next, or if you just want to learn more about the voice revolution happening to all of us, this is a must read.”—Oren Jacob, Co-Founder and CEO, PullString “The baton of disruption has been passed from the smart phone to voice, and Vlahos helps make sense of this tectonic shift.”—Scott Galloway, author of the bestseller The Four: The Hidden DNA of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google "Voice computing is revolutionizing the way we interact with our devices. Talk to Me offers a road map showing how we got to this point and the opportunities and risks that lie ahead as machines begin to converse with us in ways that seem ever more human."—Martin Ford, New York Times bestselling author of Rise of the Robots and Architects of Intelligence
