Square Takes Edge Off Conversational AI with GPUs

The next time a virtual assistant seems particularly thoughtful rescheduling your appointment, you could thank it. Who knows, maybe it was built to learn from compliments. But you might actually have Gabor Angeli to thank. The engineering manager and members of his team at Square Inc. published a paper on techniques for creating AI assistants that are sympathetic listeners. It described AI models that approach human performance in techniques like reflective listening — re-phrasing someone’s request so they feel heard. These days his team is hard at work expanding Square Assistant from a virtual scheduler to a conversational AI engine driving all the company’s products.