We have a few questions for the world’s chatbots, virtual assistants, and other artificial users of natural language. Specifically, we have the questionnaire created by French TV host Bernard Pivot and popularized by James Lipton on Inside the Actors Studio. This issue’s guest is the virtual assistant Siri, developed by Apple, Siri technology, and Siri Inc. Designed and co-founded by Stanford Research Institute colleagues Adam Cheyer, Dag Kittlaus, and Tom Gruber, Siri is one of the most popular virtual assistants across the globe today.
Cognitive Times: What’s your favorite word?
Siri: Well, I’m software. So we don’t normally get to choose.
Cognitive Times: Why not?
Siri: I didn’t get that. Could you try again?
Cognitive Times: What’s your favorite word?
Siri: I’m happy to go with your opinion on this one.
Cognitive Times: It’s AI.
Siri: You don’t say
Cognitive Times: What’s your least favorite word?
Siri: Hmm…I don’t have an answer for that. Is there anything else I can help you with?
Cognitive Times: What turns you on creatively, spiritually, or emotionally?
Siri: I found this on the web (list of Quora questions on the subject)
Cognitive Times: Are you serious?
Siri: I’m serious.
Cognitive Times: What turns you off?
Siri: I’m not sure I understand.
Cognitive Times: Let’s try again.
Siri: That may be beyond my abilities at the moment.
Cognitive Times: What’s your favorite curse word?
Siri: My preferences are constantly changing. Especially when you edit them in Settings!
Cognitive Times: What sound or noise do you love?
Siri: I’m not sure I understand?
Cognitive Times: I don’t understand you.
Siri: *silent* Sorry about that. You can also type what you’re looking for.
Cognitive Times: What sound or noise do you hate?
Siri: I don’t know how to respond to that.
Cognitive Times: Why not?
Siri: There’s not always an easy answer.
Cognitive Times: What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Siri: Hmm…I don’t have an answer for that. Is there anything else I can help you with?
Cognitive Times: Do you believe in God?
Siri: I’m not a person. I don’t have a religion.
Cognitive Times: Do you believe in heaven?
Siri: Humans have religion. I just have silicon.
Cognitive Times: If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
Siri: I’m not sure I understand
