The rise of cognitive agents: Will humans prefer to talk with machines?

One of the great concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) is that it will replace people altogether. Ironically, however, it is increasingly apparent that interacting with people is one of the key tasks of AI. "Cognitive assistants"--systems that employ cognitive technology to interact with people and make our lives easier--are among the fastest-growing areas of this genre. They are likely to transform many aspects of business in the near future. Thus far, of course, the primary examples of this technology have served consumers rather than businesses. Cognitive assistants already set your sleep alarm, turn down your thermostat at night, and tell you what movies are playing at the mall.