The best metaphor I can conceive of for a human-computer interface is that of a well-trained English butler. The ‘agent’ answers the phone, recognizes the callers, disturbs you when appropriate, and may even tell a white lie on your behalf. The same agent is well trained in timing, versed in finding the opportune moments, and respectful of idiosyncrasies. People who know the butler enjoy considerable advantage over a total strangers. That is just fine … Such ‘interface agents’ are buildable … It has become obvious that people want to delegate more functions and prefer to directly manipulate computers less. The idea is to build computer surrogates that possess a body of knowledge both about something (a process, a field of interest, a way of doing) and about you in relation to that something (your taste, your inclinations, your acquaintances).
Predictor: Negroponte, Nicholas
Prediction, in context:In his 1995 book “Being Digital,” Nicholas Negroponte writes:”The best metaphor I can conceive of for a human-computer interface is that of a well-trained English butler. The ‘agent’ answers the phone, recognizes the callers, disturbs you when appropriate, and may even tell a white lie on your behalf. The same agent is well trained in timing, versed in finding the opportune moments, and respectful of idiosyncrasies. People who know the butler enjoy considerable advantage over a total strangers. That is just fine … Such ‘interface agents’ are buildable … It has become obvious that people want to delegate more functions and prefer to directly manipulate computers less. The idea is to build computer surrogates that possess a body of knowledge both about something (a process, a field of interest, a way of doing) and about you in relation to that something (your taste, your inclinations, your acquaintances) … Digital butlers will be numerous, living both in the network and by your side, both in the center and at the periphery of your own organization (large or small).”
Biography:Nicholas Negroponte, a co-founder of MIT’s Media Lab and a popular speaker and writer about technologies of the future, wrote one of the 1990s’ best-selling books about the new future of communications, “Being Digital.” (Pioneer/Originator.)
Date of prediction: February 1, 1995
Topic of prediction: Getting, Sharing Information
Subtopic: Intelligent Agents/AI
Name of publication: Being Digital (book)
Title, headline, chapter name: Chapter 12: Less Is More
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Page 150-152
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Guarino, Jennifer Anne