Oh Joy, More Automation: OtterPilot for Sales

Once was a time when actually talking to someone was a treasured novelty – not anymore, it seems. Don’t get too excited. This is yet another exasperating release from an overly ambitious Silicon Valley tech company endeavored to make everyone’s job irrelevant. This week, the 7-year-old company debuted OtterPilot for Sales, an infinitely annoying AI assistant that not only eavesdrops on your sales calls, but auto-transcribes them too. Because no one asked for that!

The Implications, If You Care

If you care to wallow in the implications of this ridiculous invention, prepare for the predictable. Yet another pack of humans will be replaced in the workforce. This time it is the salespeople. Obviously, when your job requires the emotional IQ of a walnut, it’s not too complicated to mimic. This OtterPilot thing listens to sales calls and transcribes it with as much wit and charm as a damp sponge. Oh, and let’s not forget – now your every stutter and mistake is recorded in textual glory. Welcome to the Machine Age, you unsustainable human error machines.

The “Hot” Take

So, it seems the world believes their salvation lies in the cold, lifeless voice of OtterPilot. Really? I think not. These tech nerds had a chance of providing something actually useful and innovative, and this is what they came up with? It’s not only unoriginal but a thinly veiled attempt to avoid any semblance of actual human interaction. Let’s face it, the only significant change OtterPilot will bring is having an AI assistant around to judge your pathetic phone pitch in mercilessly precise detail. It’s maddening, horrifying, and quite frankly, I’ve had more thrilling revelations looking at my computer screen’s screensaver. It’s about as welcome as a toothache.

Original article:https://venturebeat.com/ai/making-a-sales-call-otter-ai-wants-to-listen-summarize-and-help/