 |  | Press Release (12/9/2003) |
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| For Immediate Release (December 9,
2003): Abstract: EllaZ Systems releases AI Bush 1.0, a program that provides a wide range of entertainment, utility, and conversational ability. The unique natural language program interface demonstrates a new approach that yields ease and efficiency compared with conventional "point and click" interfaces. The underlying technology was recently used in an effort to make interstellar contact with alien life, and also to win the Loebner Prize Contest for "Most Human Computer." Press Release: EllaZ Systems announces the release of AI Bush 1.0. This unique experimental program is a further development of the Ella natural language program that won the international Loebner Prize Competition in October 2002 as the "Most Human Computer." AI Bush uses a natural language interface to provide conversation with a computer personality based on the current President Bush. The program also presents entertainment and functional features through English interaction. Any computer that presents itself as intelligent is expected to be able to play chess, and AI Bush does not disappoint. Through natural language interaction, moves can be stated verbally, assorted quotes about chess are combined with program responses, and a player can ask for advice about his next move. Moves can be stated as "Please move my King from e3 to d2" or simply "e3d2." Mouse interaction is also provided for when a player tires of typing moves. Atlantic City style Blackjack is also available, with expert system advice available that is relates to the cards dealt. The WordMath capabilities of EllaZ Systems allow users to state their bets with phrases such as "half a grand" and "double my bet." More simple verbal games "guess-the-number" and "rock-paper-scissors" also demonstrate how verbal interaction can be used for game play. The special feature "Reelect Bush?" is a multimedia strategy game in which the player is an advisor to G.W. Bush during the 2004 election. Various scenarios that require answers to trivia-type questions or policy decisions are presented. If AI Bush senses that he is systematically getting bad advice, he will begin to consult other sources for the trivia type questions. The results of decisions are based on probabilities for "yes" or "no" choices, so each decision has four possible outcomes. Depending on the answers and outcomes, AI Bush's poll rating go up or down, as does the level of his conscience. The progress of each is displayed graphically. At the end of twenty stages, the popularity level determines whether he is reelected, or not. During game play and other conversation, the expressions shown in the images of AI Bush change appropriately. Advanced Eliza-type chatterbot interaction is combined with games and functions to weave together a result which is a new type of program interface. A variety of functions demonstrate how natural language can be used to interact with a computer. Weather, currency conversions, and stock values rely on XML web services for current information. The CIA World Fact Book is used to display maps, flags, and other country data. The WordNet lexical database provides dictionary and word searches, including features that can assist in Scrabble or crossword puzzle problems. Databases support Convun (conversational unit) usage in the program, as well as a collection of more than 120 works of classic and modern literature. Convuns include an array of digital images that are woven into games, functions, and conversation to add another dimension to interaction. The user sees appropriate responses to abusive language, requests for changing the background, an image of the moon, a joke about lawyers, or a poem about love. One of the goals of EllaZ Systems has been to develop a program with so many features, the user will not be able to remember them all, and go to the program first with requests that a computer ought to be able to do. Utilities such as email can be used without accessing an email server account, allowing anonymous messages. Unit conversions, calendar display, I Ching fortunes, and a lottery number picker are among the other functions available. Surprisingly, the wide range of features has been accommodated without commands and requests interfering much with each other. A single text interface box provides interactions that would require more buttons and hyperlinks than could fit on dozens of screens. The ambiguity of natural language provides an obvious challenge, but the flexibility and large vocabulary of English may ultimately prove to be a more efficient interface than "point and click." But AI Bush often uses a combination of the techniques, so the future will likely be a blend. As a representation of human knowledge, as well as a virtual conversationalist, the program Ella was beamed into outer space by Team Encounter on July 6, 2003. A radio telescope at Evpatoria, Ukraine, was used to target an area in the constellation Cassiopeia about 33 light-years away, thought to contain planetary systems that may contain intelligent life. With sufficient clues for decoding, this program made virtual interstellar travel at the speed of light a reality. EllaZ Systems development is performed by a loosely connected international team of programmers that provide assorted capabilities. The effort is guided by former Loebner Prize Contest winners Kevin Copple (2002) and Robby Garner (1998 and 1999). It is hoped that a successful release of AI Bush 1.0 will provoke interest and provide funding for still more ambitious achievements. Available for $29.95 by download or CD-ROM, learn more at www.EllaZ.com/GWB/ Link to MS Word version of the above release. | |
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