Facebook Reveals The Secrets Behind "M," Its Artificial Intelligence Bot

Someone sent a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte to my desk at work. Which was weird because I didn't ask for it. And even weirder because it came from some of the most sophisticated technology in the world: M, the artificial intelligence–driven virtual assistant Facebook is building into its Messenger app. AI, I thought, was supposed to outsmart and kill us, not send autumnal coffee beverages. So forgive me for being a little suspicious of the grande red cup at my desk. I've had M on my phone for about a month now. Before it becomes pervasive, I wanted to understand it, and ask questions of it. I've pushed it incredibly hard.