Issue 24-003: Chatbots Exposed. Are United Back? And an Update about my company
Eye-candy Brad Pitt for Mr. Porter
Chatbots Exposed: The Shocking Truth About Their User Experience!
Since chatGPT burst onto the scene, it seems that everywhere you look, there's a new chatbot. So the question becomes, should you add a chatbot to your product? Or if you're building an exciting new AI company to claim some of that sweet VC money, should it be a chatbot?
As technology continues to evolve, the allure of chatbots as a replacement for traditional Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) has grown. However, before making the transition, it's essential to remember these key reasons why chatbots may not always deliver a superior user experience compared to GUIs.
1. Mental Load on Users:
Chatbots place the mental load on users, requiring them to initiate conversations, express their needs, and hope that the bot understands their requests. This can be cumbersome and less efficient compared to the ease of GUIs, where users simply click or interact with intuitive visual elements.
2. Lack of Visibility: The Cold Start Problem:
Unlike GUIs that provide clear menus and options, chatbots often leave users guessing about their capabilities, resulting in a lack of visibility and a steeper learning curve for users.
3. Lack of Control:
GUIs typically offer more control and customization options, allowing users to tailor their experiences. In contrast, chatbots often limit users' ability to personalize interactions, leaving them feeling constrained.
4. Inefficiency in Feedback:
Chatbots can discourage granular feedback as they require users to restart conversations with each request. GUIs, on the other hand, often provide more straightforward mechanisms for offering specific feedback on various elements.
5. Lack of Transparency:
Chatbots can be opaque in their decision-making processes, leaving users unsure of why the system responded in a particular way. GUIs typically offer more transparency, displaying visible feedback and actions.
6. Limited Context Awareness:
Chatbots frequently struggle to maintain context during interactions, forcing users to repeat information. GUIs tend to offer better context preservation, leading to smoother and more efficient user experiences.
7. Lack of Empathy:
Chatbots lack the ability to express empathy or understand users' emotions, which can be vital in certain situations. GUIs may better support empathetic interactions when required.
8. Misunderstanding Slang and Natural Language:
GUIs do not rely on interpreting slang or regional dialects, reducing the risk of miscommunication compared to chatbots.
9. Difficulty Handling Complex Queries:
While GUIs are adept at handling complex tasks with clarity and precision, chatbots can falter when confronted with multifaceted queries, potentially leading to user frustration.
10. Overreliance on Scripts:
Chatbots often rely on predefined scripts, limiting their flexibility when faced with unconventional requests. GUIs typically offer more versatility in responding to a wide range of user actions.
11. Privacy and Data Concerns:
GUIs can provide better assurances of data privacy and security, addressing concerns that may arise in chatbot interactions.
12. Accessibility Issues:
Chatbots may present accessibility challenges for users with disabilities or language barriers, while GUIs can often accommodate a more diverse user base.
While chatbots have their advantages, it's essential to weigh these factors carefully before replacing traditional GUIs. Depending on the specific use case and user needs, a GUI may still provide a superior and more user-friendly experience.
From the CEO’s Desk
Bo the brain is happy to meet you.
This week brings some exciting news. Especially if you’re on the waitlist for 3rd Brain. We will be rolling out invites to those on our waitlist to try our app for free for a limited time.
What is 3rd Brain?
3rd Brain is an AI-powered social productivity app designed to help households organize and share responsibilities. Bo the Brain—a gender-neutral name meaning ‘to live’ or ‘dwell’—is the company’s mascot and every couple’s helpful AI assistant. Bo serves as the household's third brain, converting individual thoughts into organized to-do lists, event schedules, and a shared knowledge base. This eases communication and reduces the mental burden for both partners and other household members including kids, nannies, and relatives helping out.
If you’d like a chance to try out 3rd Brain head over to this page and add your email to the waitlist. It’ll take approximately 7 seconds.
The future looks bright
Number 21 is coming!
Hahaha, I’m joking there is no way the 21st title is coming this year. I am however hopeful for a top-four finish and if I dare dream of another trophy in the form of the FA Cup. United having beaten West Ham this morning and managing to NOT ruin yet another weekend for me are sitting 6 points outside the top four with Ten Hag’s win percentage above 70% of his 50 matches at Old Trafford. Things seem great on paper but the inconsistencies and the lack of performances like today’s are keeping this red devil cautiously optimistic.
Reasons to feel optimistic about United
Mainoo and Co. Our youth are looking bright, exciting, and simply a joy to watch. The trio above of Kobie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, and Rasmus Højlund are the stuff of dreams. I just really hope they don’t get new overpriced contracts and go the way of Rashford. I still have hope he’ll go back to his top-level performance and stop with the inconsistent performances.
New ownership and a new system. We’ve got a new CEO after poaching City’s CEO. That was a weird news day when I heard that one. With INEOS and Sir Jim, I am optimistic we’ll get the right people like Sir Dave Brailsford to get the whole team cooking. Watch this interview with him, the man knows his stuff.
3. We are United! You never, never, ever write out United. It’s in our DNA. We are a big club. One the biggest clubs in the world.
This was the third edition of the EVERYTHING IS DESIGNED newsletter. Maybe I’ll see you next week, maybe I won’t. Only time will tell.
