Toni Reid: She taught Amazon to speak
The Amazon Alexa is Toni Reid's "kid"
Toni Reid is the mother of three daughters: two girls and Alexa - Amazon's artificial intelligence that can be controlled by language. Read out the weather forecast, quickly order stockings or dimming the light: According to a survey, about 15 percent of Americans have let the digital voice assistant move in with them since their introduction in 2015.
So that people like to talk to the computer voice and the system behind it, Reid had to develop his own personality. Alexa should respond to questions or commands as a human being would. "Our artificial intelligence is still far from being able to have a proper conversation, but it has its own voice, it's smart, helpful, funny and humble," says Reid. And she could save lives. With the appropriate app Alexa can call in an emergency by phone help.
From Human Resources to IT Project Management
For artificial intelligence to do this, complex programming is necessary. But a computer crack is not Reid. After studying anthropology, she joined Microsoft in 1997, and a year later she took on a similar role at Amazon. Four weeks after her first day at work, Reid's team moved to Europe without them, where Amazon wanted to expand its business. She stayed behind and took over the vacant chief positions - first for the business development, then for the area of online ads - and eventually became boss of her own project, Alexa. Now she leads several teams of hardware and software programmers and one that ponders what digital processes could be translated into voice commands.
Language - the future for our use of technology
Reid's vision: People should be able to integrate the Internet into their daily lives without having to stare at displays or having to operate a device in each hand. "Speech is a new way to use technology without being constantly confronted with it - we just need our voice to speak, and if we do not use the technology, it will not even stand out." The receivers can be tiny because they do not require a display and keyboard. The fact that you forget them so quickly, but also has pitfalls. So some accidentally triggered online orders made Alexa headlines. The purchase function on call can be issued, however.
Reid's team is currently working on another project: a camera that triggers with voice control and is supposed to help with the daily decision in front of the wardrobe. The device shoots photos of different outfits, an algorithm compares them and calculates which garment is best for the wearer - buying tips for new clothes included. "I love to think about how artificial intelligence can make our lives easier and more comfortable," says Reid.
