Conversational Agent - Revision history

Thorsten: Fixed some link issues

2021-12-13T19:01:55Z

Fixed some link issues

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:01, 13 December 2021
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	But there are many cases where the conversational system is not properly an agent, by example in pure [[command-and-control]] conversational systems that just execute automation commands to action (electro-mechanical) actuators, by example in [[home-automation]] or industrial automation realms.		But there are many cases where the conversational system is not properly an agent, by example in pure [[command-and-control]] conversational systems that just execute automation commands to action (electro-mechanical) actuators, by example in [[home-automation]] or industrial automation realms.

	The concept of conversational agent is currently also a synonym of [~~https://openvoice-tech.net/Virtual_assistants~~ virtual assistant], in the sense of a real agentive/automation technology that assists humans to solve real-life problems, in real-time, with reactive and proactive dialogs (so called [~~https://openvoice-tech.net/Mixed-initiative~~ mixed-initiative]), between the end-user and the assistant.		The concept of conversational agent is currently also a synonym of [[Voice assistant\|virtual assistant]], in the sense of a real agentive/automation technology that assists humans to solve real-life problems, in real-time, with reactive and proactive dialogs (so called [[mixed-initiative]]), between the end-user and the assistant.

	A concrete example of a conversational agent that's a true agent, in the sense that act on behalf of end-user, conversating and explating tasks with other humans, is ''Google Duplex''<ref>https://ai.googleblog.com/2018/05/duplex-ai-system-for-natural-conversation.html</ref>.		A concrete example of a conversational agent that's a true agent, in the sense that act on behalf of end-user, conversating and explating tasks with other humans, is ''Google Duplex''<ref>https://ai.googleblog.com/2018/05/duplex-ai-system-for-natural-conversation.html</ref>.

	== References ==		== References ==

Solyarisoftware: added paragraph "The reason why the term agent"

2021-12-13T13:26:30Z

added paragraph "The reason why the term agent"

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:26, 13 December 2021
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	In common practice, conversational agent in an umbrella term generally used as synonym of [[chatbot]], but technically a chatbot is a specific kind of conversational system where the communication channel user interface (UI) is just text messages, exchanged on chat-based platforms (as [[instant-messaging]] mobile apps).		In common practice, conversational agent in an umbrella term generally used as synonym of [[chatbot]], but technically a chatbot is a specific kind of conversational system where the communication channel user interface (UI) is just text messages, exchanged on chat-based platforms (as [[instant-messaging]] mobile apps).

	Especially in academic parlance, the term ''conversational agent'' is synonym of ''chatbot'', and the reason emphasis on the "agent" is maybe because conversational agents was considered software agents<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_agent</ref>, special application of intelligent systems<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_agent</ref> and Multi-agent systems<ref>/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-agent_system</ref> research.		== ''The reason why the term agent'' ==
			Especially in academic parlance, the term ''conversational agent'' is synonym of ''chatbot'', and the reason emphasis on the ''agent'' is maybe because conversational agents was considered software agents<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_agent</ref>, special application of intelligent systems<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_agent</ref> and Multi-agent systems<ref>/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-agent_system</ref> research topic.

	The term ''agent'' is so probably misleading, because assimilating any conversational system as a software agent that mediate between an end-user (e.g. a consumer of a business platform) and a business human operator counterpart. That use case is a specific use case and not always applicable.		The term ''agent'' is so probably misleading, because assimilating any conversational system as a software agent that mediate between an end-user (e.g. a consumer of a business platform) and a business human operator counterpart. That use case is a specific use case and not always applicable/true.

	The agentive role of a conversational system is commonly related to a the specifica scenario when the conversational system really acts as intermediator, requiring a final conversation between the end-user and a human operator (that's commonly called: ''[[human-in-the-loop]]'').		The agentive role of a conversational system is commonly related to a the specifica scenario when the conversational system really acts as intermediator, requiring a final conversation between the end-user and a human operator (that's commonly called: ''[[human-in-the-loop]]'').

	But there are many cases where the conversational system is not properly an agent, by example in pure [[command-and-control]] conversational systems that just execute automation commands to action (electro-mechanical) actuators, by example in [[home-automation]] or industrial automation realms.		But there are many cases where the conversational system is not properly an agent, by example in pure [[command-and-control]] conversational systems that just execute automation commands to action (electro-mechanical) actuators, by example in [[home-automation]] or industrial automation realms.

			The concept of conversational agent is currently also a synonym of [https://openvoice-tech.net/Virtual_assistants virtual assistant], in the sense of a real agentive/automation technology that assists humans to solve real-life problems, in real-time, with reactive and proactive dialogs (so called [https://openvoice-tech.net/Mixed-initiative mixed-initiative]), between the end-user and the assistant.

			A concrete example of a conversational agent that's a true agent, in the sense that act on behalf of end-user, conversating and explating tasks with other humans, is ''Google Duplex''<ref>https://ai.googleblog.com/2018/05/duplex-ai-system-for-natural-conversation.html</ref>.

	== References ==		== References ==

Solyarisoftware at 13:08, 13 December 2021

2021-12-13T13:08:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:08, 13 December 2021
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	In common practice, conversational agent in an umbrella term generally used as synonym of [[chatbot]], but technically a chatbot is a specific kind of conversational system where the communication channel user interface (UI) is just text messages, exchanged on chat-based platforms (as [[instant-messaging]] mobile apps).		In common practice, conversational agent in an umbrella term generally used as synonym of [[chatbot]], but technically a chatbot is a specific kind of conversational system where the communication channel user interface (UI) is just text messages, exchanged on chat-based platforms (as [[instant-messaging]] mobile apps).

	Especially in academic parlance, the term ''conversational agent'' is synonym of ''chatbot'', and the reason emphasis on the "agent" is maybe because conversational agents was considered software agents<ref ~~name="~~:0" />, special application of intelligent systems<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_agent</ref> and Multi-agent systems<ref>/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-agent_system</ref> research.		Especially in academic parlance, the term ''conversational agent'' is synonym of ''chatbot'', and the reason emphasis on the "agent" is maybe because conversational agents was considered software agents<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_agent</ref>, special application of intelligent systems<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_agent</ref> and Multi-agent systems<ref>/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-agent_system</ref> research.

	The term ''agent'' is so probably misleading, because assimilating any conversational system as a software agent that mediate between an end-user (e.g. a consumer of a business platform) and a business human operator counterpart. That use case is a specific use case and not always applicable.		The term ''agent'' is so probably misleading, because assimilating any conversational system as a software agent that mediate between an end-user (e.g. a consumer of a business platform) and a business human operator counterpart. That use case is a specific use case and not always applicable.

	The agentive role of a conversational system is commonly related to a the specifica scenario when the conversational system really acts as intermediator, requiring a final conversation ~~bettwen~~ the end-user and a human operator (that's commonly called: ''[[human-in-the-loop]]'').		The agentive role of a conversational system is commonly related to a the specifica scenario when the conversational system really acts as intermediator, requiring a final conversation between the end-user and a human operator (that's commonly called: ''[[human-in-the-loop]]'').

	But there are many cases where the conversational system is not properly an agent, by example in pure [[command-and-control]] conversational systems that just execute automation commands to action (electro-mechanical) actuators, by example in [[home-automation]] or industrial automation realms.		But there are many cases where the conversational system is not properly an agent, by example in pure [[command-and-control]] conversational systems that just execute automation commands to action (electro-mechanical) actuators, by example in [[home-automation]] or industrial automation realms.

			== References ==

Solyarisoftware: trying a better explanation of the meaning of the term "agent"

2021-12-13T13:06:54Z

trying a better explanation of the meaning of the term "agent"

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:06, 13 December 2021
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	A ''conversational agent'', ~~is a synonym of~~ ''conversational system'', a computer system intended to converse with a human in a natural language.		A ''conversational agent'', or ''conversational system'', or ''dialog system'', is a computer system (hardware+software platform) intended to converse with a human in a natural language.

	Let's see what wikipedia states for conversational agent:		Let's see what wikipedia states for ''conversational agent''<ref name=":0">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialogue_system</ref>:

	''A dialogue system, or conversational agent (CA), is a computer system intended to converse with a human. Dialogue systems employed one or more of text, speech, graphics, haptics, gestures, and other modes for communication on both the input and output channel.''~~<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialogue_system</ref>~~.		''"A dialogue system, or conversational agent (CA), is a computer system intended to converse with a human. Dialogue systems employed one or more of text, speech, graphics, haptics, gestures, and other modes for communication on both the input and output channel''."

	In common practice, conversational agent in an umbrella term generally used as synonym of [[chatbot]], but technically a chatbot is ~~instead~~ a conversational system ~~that communicate~~ just ~~via texts~~, on chat-based platforms (as instant-messaging mobile apps).		In common practice, conversational agent in an umbrella term generally used as synonym of [[chatbot]], but technically a chatbot is a specific kind of conversational system where the communication channel user interface (UI) is just text messages, exchanged on chat-based platforms (as [[instant-messaging]] mobile apps).

	Especially in academic parlance, the term conversational agent ~~was~~ synonym of chatbot, and the reason emphasis on the "agent" ~~was~~ maybe because conversational agents was considered a special application in intelligent systems<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_agent</ref> or Multi-agent systems<ref>/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-agent_system</ref> research.		Especially in academic parlance, the term ''conversational agent'' is synonym of ''chatbot'', and the reason emphasis on the "agent" is maybe because conversational agents was considered software agents<ref name=":0" />, special application of intelligent systems<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_agent</ref> and Multi-agent systems<ref>/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-agent_system</ref> research.

	The term ''agent'' is probably misleading, because assimilating any conversational system as an agent that mediate between an end-user (e.g. a consumer of a business platform) and a business human operator. That~~'s in general~~ not ~~true~~. ~~Instead the~~ agentive role is commonly related to a ~~special case of~~ conversational system ~~that act~~ as intermediator, requiring a final conversation ~~with~~ a human operator (that's commonly called~~, in customer service realms~~: ''human-in-the-loop''). But there are many cases where the conversational system is not properly an agent, by example in pure [[command-and-control]] conversational systems that just execute automation commands to action (electro-mechanical) actuators, by example in [[home-automation]] or industrial automation realms.		The term ''agent'' is so probably misleading, because assimilating any conversational system as a software agent that mediate between an end-user (e.g. a consumer of a business platform) and a business human operator counterpart. That use case is a specific use case and not always applicable.

			The agentive role of a conversational system is commonly related to a the specifica scenario when the conversational system really acts as intermediator, requiring a final conversation bettwen the end-user and a human operator (that's commonly called: ''[[human-in-the-loop]]'').

			But there are many cases where the conversational system is not properly an agent, by example in pure [[command-and-control]] conversational systems that just execute automation commands to action (electro-mechanical) actuators, by example in [[home-automation]] or industrial automation realms.

Solyarisoftware: Minor grammar corrections; the virtual assistant paragraph has been moved away

2021-12-13T08:56:57Z

Minor grammar corrections; the virtual assistant paragraph has been moved away

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:56, 13 December 2021
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	A ''conversational agent'', ~~or better ,~~ a ''conversational system'', is a computer system intended to converse with a human in a natural ~~langue~~.		A ''conversational agent'', is a synonym of ''conversational system'', a computer system intended to converse with a human in a natural language.

	Let's see what wikipedia states for conversational agent:		Let's see what wikipedia states for conversational agent:
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	''A dialogue system, or conversational agent (CA), is a computer system intended to converse with a human. Dialogue systems employed one or more of text, speech, graphics, haptics, gestures, and other modes for communication on both the input and output channel.''<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialogue_system</ref>.		''A dialogue system, or conversational agent (CA), is a computer system intended to converse with a human. Dialogue systems employed one or more of text, speech, graphics, haptics, gestures, and other modes for communication on both the input and output channel.''<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialogue_system</ref>.

	In common practice, conversational agent in an umbrella term generally used as synonym of chatbot, ~~even if~~ a chatbot is a conversational ~~agent~~ that communicate just via texts, on chat-based platforms (as instant-messaging mobile apps).		In common practice, conversational agent in an umbrella term generally used as synonym of [[chatbot]], but technically a chatbot is instead a conversational system that communicate just via texts, on chat-based platforms (as instant-messaging mobile apps).

	Especially in academic parlance, the term conversational agent was synonym of chatbot, and the reason emphasis on the "agent" was maybe because conversational agents was considered a special application in intelligent systems<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_agent</ref> or Multi-agent systems<ref>/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-agent_system</ref> research.		Especially in academic parlance, the term conversational agent was synonym of chatbot, and the reason emphasis on the "agent" was maybe because conversational agents was considered a special application in intelligent systems<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_agent</ref> or Multi-agent systems<ref>/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-agent_system</ref> research.

	The term "agent" is probably misleading, because assimilating any conversational system as an agent that mediate between an end-user (e.g. a consumer of a business platform) and a business human operator. That's in general not true. Instead the agentive role is commonly related to a special case of conversational system that act as intermediator, requiring a final conversation with a human operator (that's commonly called, in customer service realms: ''human-in-the-loop'').		The term ''agent'' is probably misleading, because assimilating any conversational system as an agent that mediate between an end-user (e.g. a consumer of a business platform) and a business human operator. That's in general not true. Instead the agentive role is commonly related to a special case of conversational system that act as intermediator, requiring a final conversation with a human operator (that's commonly called, in customer service realms: ''human-in-the-loop''). But there are many cases where the conversational system is not properly an agent, by example in pure [[command-and-control]] conversational systems that just execute automation commands to action (electro-mechanical) actuators, by example in [[home-automation]] or industrial automation realms.

	But there are many cases where the conversational system is not properly an agent, by example in pure [[command-and-control]] conversational systems that just execute automation commands to action (electro-mechanical) actuators, by example in [[home-automation]] or industrial automation realms.

	Nevertheless the concept of "conversational agent", even if ambiguous, is currently an active area of research of [[virtual assistants]], in the sense of a real agentive/automation technology that assists humans to solve real-life problems, in real-time in a reactive and proactive way (co called [[mixed-initiative]]). [[Voice assistants]] are a special case of virtual assistants<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_assistant</ref>, where the human-computer interaction is mainly done via voice ([[voicefirst]]). [[Smartspeakers]] are HW device terminals that enable humans to interact with a (voice) assistant.

Solyarisoftware at 13:34, 12 December 2021

2021-12-12T13:34:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:34, 12 December 2021
Line 7:		Line 7:
	In common practice, conversational agent in an umbrella term generally used as synonym of chatbot, even if a chatbot is a conversational agent that communicate just via texts, on chat-based platforms (as instant-messaging mobile apps).		In common practice, conversational agent in an umbrella term generally used as synonym of chatbot, even if a chatbot is a conversational agent that communicate just via texts, on chat-based platforms (as instant-messaging mobile apps).

	Especially in academic parlance, the term conversational agent was synonym of chatbot, and the reason emphasis on the "agent" was maybe because conversational agents was considered a special application in intelligent systems<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_agent</ref> / Multi-agent systems<ref>/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-agent_system</ref> research.		Especially in academic parlance, the term conversational agent was synonym of chatbot, and the reason emphasis on the "agent" was maybe because conversational agents was considered a special application in intelligent systems<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_agent</ref> or Multi-agent systems<ref>/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-agent_system</ref> research.

	The term "agent" is probably misleading, because assimilating any conversational system as an agent that mediate between an end-user (e.g. a consumer of a business platform) and a business human operator. That's in general not true. Instead the agentive role is commonly related to a special case of conversational system that act as intermediator, requiring a final conversation with a human operator (that's commonly called, in customer service realms: ''human-in-the-loop'').		The term "agent" is probably misleading, because assimilating any conversational system as an agent that mediate between an end-user (e.g. a consumer of a business platform) and a business human operator. That's in general not true. Instead the agentive role is commonly related to a special case of conversational system that act as intermediator, requiring a final conversation with a human operator (that's commonly called, in customer service realms: ''human-in-the-loop'').

Solyarisoftware at 13:32, 12 December 2021

2021-12-12T13:32:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:32, 12 December 2021
Line 7:		Line 7:
	In common practice, conversational agent in an umbrella term generally used as synonym of chatbot, even if a chatbot is a conversational agent that communicate just via texts, on chat-based platforms (as instant-messaging mobile apps).		In common practice, conversational agent in an umbrella term generally used as synonym of chatbot, even if a chatbot is a conversational agent that communicate just via texts, on chat-based platforms (as instant-messaging mobile apps).

	Especially in academic parlance, the term conversational agent was synonym of chatbot, and the reason emphasis on the "agent" was maybe because conversational agents was considered an special application of intelligent systems<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_agent</ref> / Multi-agent systems<ref>/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-agent_system</ref> research.		Especially in academic parlance, the term conversational agent was synonym of chatbot, and the reason emphasis on the "agent" was maybe because conversational agents was considered a special application in intelligent systems<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_agent</ref> / Multi-agent systems<ref>/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-agent_system</ref> research.

	The term "agent" is misleading, because assimilating any conversational system as an agent that mediate between an end-user (e.g. a consumer of a business platform) and a business operator. That's in general not true. Instead ~~this~~ is commonly ~~referred as~~ a special case of conversational system ~~and the~~ human operator ~~intervention is~~ called "human-in-the-loop". There are many cases where the conversational system is not an agent, by example in pure command-and-control conversational systems that just execute automation commands to action (electro-mechanical) ~~actuators, by example in home-automation or industrial realms~~.		The term "agent" is probably misleading, because assimilating any conversational system as an agent that mediate between an end-user (e.g. a consumer of a business platform) and a business human operator. That's in general not true. Instead the agentive role is commonly related to a special case of conversational system that act as intermediator, requiring a final conversation with a human operator (that's commonly called, in customer service realms: ''human-in-the-loop'').

	Nevertheless the concept of "conversational agent", even if ambiguous, is currently an active area of research of virtual assistants, in the sense of a real agentive/automation technology that assists humans to solve real-life problems, in real-time in a reactive and proactive way (co called mixed-initiative). Voice assistants are a special case of virtual assistants<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_assistant</ref>, where the human-computer interaction is mainly done via voice (voicefirst). Smartspeakers are HW device terminals that enable humans to interact with a (voice) assistant.		But there are many cases where the conversational system is not properly an agent, by example in pure [[command-and-control]] conversational systems that just execute automation commands to action (electro-mechanical) actuators, by example in [[home-automation]] or industrial automation realms.

			Nevertheless the concept of "conversational agent", even if ambiguous, is currently an active area of research of [[virtual assistants]], in the sense of a real agentive/automation technology that assists humans to solve real-life problems, in real-time in a reactive and proactive way (co called [[mixed-initiative]]). [[Voice assistants]] are a special case of virtual assistants<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_assistant</ref>, where the human-computer interaction is mainly done via voice ([[voicefirst]]). [[Smartspeakers]] are HW device terminals that enable humans to interact with a (voice) assistant.

Solyarisoftware at 13:27, 12 December 2021

2021-12-12T13:27:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:27, 12 December 2021
Line 3:		Line 3:
	Let's see what wikipedia states for conversational agent:		Let's see what wikipedia states for conversational agent:

	''A dialogue system, or conversational agent (CA), is a computer system intended to converse with a human. Dialogue systems employed one or more of text, speech, graphics, haptics, gestures, and other modes for communication on both the input and output channel.''<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialogue_system</ref>		''A dialogue system, or conversational agent (CA), is a computer system intended to converse with a human. Dialogue systems employed one or more of text, speech, graphics, haptics, gestures, and other modes for communication on both the input and output channel.''<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialogue_system</ref>.

	~~The wikipedia definition is pretty good but a bit updated, because even the voice interaction is not mentioned!~~

	In common practice, conversational agent in an umbrella term generally used as synonym of chatbot, even if a chatbot is a conversational agent that communicate just via texts, on chat-based platforms (as instant-messaging mobile apps).		In common practice, conversational agent in an umbrella term generally used as synonym of chatbot, even if a chatbot is a conversational agent that communicate just via texts, on chat-based platforms (as instant-messaging mobile apps).

Solyarisoftware: Conversational Agent definition

2021-12-12T11:08:46Z

Conversational Agent definition

New page

A ''conversational agent'', or better , a ''conversational system'', is a computer system intended to converse with a human in a natural langue.

Let's see what wikipedia states for conversational agent:

''A dialogue system, or conversational agent (CA), is a computer system intended to converse with a human. Dialogue systems employed one or more of text, speech, graphics, haptics, gestures, and other modes for communication on both the input and output channel.''<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialogue_system</ref>

The wikipedia definition is pretty good but a bit updated, because even the voice interaction is not mentioned!

In common practice, conversational agent in an umbrella term generally used as synonym of chatbot, even if a chatbot is a conversational agent that communicate just via texts, on chat-based platforms (as instant-messaging mobile apps).

Especially in academic parlance, the term conversational agent was synonym of chatbot, and the reason emphasis on the "agent" was maybe because conversational agents was considered an special application of intelligent systems<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_agent</ref> / Multi-agent systems<ref>/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-agent_system</ref> research.

The term "agent" is misleading, because assimilating any conversational system as an agent that mediate between an end-user (e.g. a consumer of a business platform) and a business operator. That's in general not true. Instead this is commonly referred as a special case of conversational system and the human operator intervention is called "human-in-the-loop". There are many cases where the conversational system is not an agent, by example in pure command-and-control conversational systems that just execute automation commands to action (electro-mechanical) actuators, by example in home-automation or industrial realms.

Nevertheless the concept of "conversational agent", even if ambiguous, is currently an active area of research of virtual assistants, in the sense of a real agentive/automation technology that assists humans to solve real-life problems, in real-time in a reactive and proactive way (co called mixed-initiative). Voice assistants are a special case of virtual assistants<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_assistant</ref>, where the human-computer interaction is mainly done via voice (voicefirst). Smartspeakers are HW device terminals that enable humans to interact with a (voice) assistant.