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Ikea's Avatar Talks Feelings, Not Furniture

Need proof that humans won't be replaced by computers soon? Meet 'Anna,' Ikea.com's automated online assistant.
DISCUSS     Email This
Written by Nicole Ferraro
7/25/2011 35 comments
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  Consumer Internet   Enterprise IT
  Retail   Stupid
 
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Joe Stanganelli
Thinkernetter
Sunday September 11, 2011 5:31:47 AM
no ratings

I only just got around to watching this.  I dig the sound editing!

Anna's stilted speech looks suspiciously like that of Nigerian 419 scammers -- but with better spelling.

I'd be very careful if she asks you for a credit card number or bank information.

Nicole Ferraro
IQ Crew
Tuesday August 9, 2011 5:16:41 PM
no ratings

Alas, New Anna, I could have used your help a week ago. My items have already been ordered and assembled.

Correct, though, about the smallness of my apartment. Even though Anna was no help, I'm totally in love with my new bookcase.

Thanks anyway!

burn0050
Rank: Cyborg
Tuesday August 9, 2011 5:10:55 PM
no ratings

Nicole,

This is the unit you need:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10203097

It's $5 cheaper, it has "Max. load: 66 lb", and, best of all - "Matches BILLY bookcase" (which actually might work well for you - since I assume you live in a regular sized NY apartment: small).

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S49898261#/S99898254/

Sure, it's slightly larger. Sure, it's not exactly what you want. But, there was no contact with either Anna or customer service. Which is really all that matters in the end.

 

Perhaps I should replace Anna?

Kim Davis
Thinkernetter
Thursday July 28, 2011 4:12:32 PM
no ratings

I asked Anna what languages she could speak and she told me only English as yet.  I haven't yet asked her for a date.  I am saving that for when I really need a good laugh.

jwallace
IQ Crew
Thursday July 28, 2011 1:33:57 PM
no ratings

my progressive insurance claims adjusters who found me at fault for proceeding to drive when the light turned green and being struck by some idiot making an illegal left turn because I didn't see him.. and he says he saw me... yet he still ran into my vehicle going straight ahead in my lane... yeah,,,,

Chris Poley
Thinkernetter
Wednesday July 27, 2011 5:54:01 PM
no ratings

Nicole, you would have had  some success if you conversation went like this:

God morgan Anna.

Mitt namn ar Nicole

Talar du Svenska?

Nej

Tack

Hej da adjo

You can't allow yourself to be taken in by Anna's beauty and charm, she is clearly a seductress.

Nicole Ferraro
IQ Crew
Tuesday July 26, 2011 11:36:08 AM
no ratings

I think Watson could have been far more helpful to me than Anna, but Anna is probably a tiny pebble-sized fraction of the price of Watson.

Nicole Ferraro
IQ Crew
Tuesday July 26, 2011 11:34:49 AM
no ratings

Wow, well, I don't even want to look into these videos because then I'll just feel bad for poking fun at Anna in the first place. But it sounds like I was more easy-going than these other bullies, at least. In any case, wake up, Ikea! No one is happy with Anna! Fix her up, give that girl some purpose, and maybe -- just maybe -- along the way you'll actually please your customers. A novel idea, but worth a shot, I say.

nasimson
Thinkernetter
Tuesday July 26, 2011 6:13:32 AM
no ratings

I am sure all the outsourced overseas call center reps and owners must have heaved a collective sigh of relief after watching your blog Nicole.Conversation is a cerebral art and artificial intelligence is way off the mark still.I am not sure where to put Watson in this

Paul Whyte
Researcher
Monday July 25, 2011 9:31:56 PM
no ratings

Hey Joanne,

"While dear Anna needed the lesson in empathy, it is I who now empathize with Anna.  I can see from the search results how online bullying gets started and how difficult it would be to stop it.  Employers such as Ikea should pay attention and protect their avatars or other avatars may not want to work there."

Ha! Very intriguing thoughts. I would have to go checkout those Youtubes videos you made mentioned up. Thanks for being an ardent Anna sympathize.

 


Page 1 of 4   Next >
what.the.ferraro
5
of
what.the.ferraro
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what.the.ferraro
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4|20|12   |   2:44   |   17 comments


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Gmail ads were supposed to get better. What happened?
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what.the.ferraro
Goodbye, Real Life. Hello Video in a Hat

3|2|12   |   2:36   |   18 comments


Are you officially done interacting with society? There's a hat for that.
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5
of
Second Shooter
Argument Over Top-Level Domains Is 'Stupid'

4|11|13   |   2:07   |   3 comments


The whole Amazon.reader debate is a double-stupid. It's stupid to think that there's any e-book buyer who doesn't know Amazon's URL, and it was stupider to let ICANN launch the whole free-form TLD initiative to start with.
Brian Baron
How Edmunds.com Collects Customer Information

3|18|13   |   1:15   |   No comments


Edmunds separates customers into segments based on the info it collects on its site and from partners, and uses that to push out custom content, said Brian Baron, director of business analytics for Edmunds.com, at Predictive Analytics Innovation Summit.
Brian Baron
How Edmunds.com Uses Analytics to Customize Site

3|14|13   |   0:47   |   No comments


The automotive website uses propensity modeling to target ads and customer registration forms, said Brian Baron, director of business analytics for Edmunds.com, at Predictive Analytics Innovation Summit.
Brian Baron
How Edmunds.com Drives Conversions With Analytics

3|1|13   |   1:20   |   No comments


The automotive website uses propensity modeling of customer behavior to convert more site visitors into leads, says Brian Baron, director of business analytics, in an interview at the Predictive Analytics Innovation Summit.
Alison Diana
Striking a Balance for Website Upgrades

1|24|13   |   1:59   |   3 comments


Companies need to take advantage of new technologies to simplify interfaces, improve capabilities, and enhance back-office processes. But they can't upgrade their Websites too often.
Wisdom of the Big Chair
Price, Not Features, Driving Smartphone Sales

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A survey by JD Powers found that customer interest in product features is lessening as phones evolve. Rather than features, price is driving purchases, and that change could have a dramatic impact on how IT departments secure these devices.
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8|28|12   |   1:46   |   2 comments


Recently, Amazon was recognized for its customer satisfaction excellence. It has made no secret that being customer-centric is a primary goal. This should be the goal of every e-tailer that wants to build market share.
Wisdom of the Big Chair
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4|23|12   |   1:38   |   6 comments


For the frazzled, hurried consumer, waiting in line has become a major bugaboo. A survey by Great Clips has found that 94 percent will wait less than 10 minutes to check out at a store. Self-check-in has become popular among airlines and is now making its way into the retail marketplace. Using smartphones, consumers can order items and pick them up, cutting down on their wait time.
Kim Davis
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