Facebook develops digital helper
Online giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Google already offer digital assistants you can talk to. Facebook is taking a slightly different approach: «M» is a kind of concierge designed to carry out tasks—with human assistance when needed.
The computer helper is intended to carry out specific tasks for users of the Messenger short message service, wrote the responsible manager David Marcus in a Facebook entry. "It can buy things, make sure gifts are delivered to your loved ones, reserve tables in restaurants, book trips, make appointments and much more," explained Marcus. The service is initially being tested with a few hundred users around San Francisco.
Behind M are self-learning computers - but also people who intervene when the machine reaches its limits, Marcus told Wired magazine. They are called "M Trainers" and Facebook will employ thousands of them over time. "M learns from human behavior." Facebook sees a future business opportunity in earning money from fees on purchases via Messenger.
More and more digital assistants are now competing for the favor of users. Siri has been available on Apple's iPhones for almost four years, Microsoft's answer to this is Cortana, Google's Google Now service allows you to ask questions and Amazon has integrated the Alexa assistant into the Echo networked speaker. Unlike these services, Facebook's M only allows you to communicate in writing. The world's largest online network has around 1.5 billion members, while Messenger has over 700 million users according to the latest figures. The former Paypal boss Marcus also wants to expand the service into a platform for contacts with companies' customer service. (SDA)
