Life-Hacking… aka, Murder?
So as the entire blogosphere knows, there’s a great article on “Life-Hacking” in the NY Times. What struck me was the section on artificial intelligence networks that calculate the optimum moment to interrupt workers (with new emails and tasks, etc) so as to disrupt productivity least. It works by looking for patterns in users’ work habits.
In the early days of training Horvitz’s A.I., you must clarify when you’re most and least interruptible, so the machine can begin to pick up your personal patterns. But after a few days, the fun begins - because the machine takes over and, using what you’ve taught it, tries to predict your future behavior. Horvitz clicked an onscreen icon for “Paul,” an employee working on a laptop in a meeting room down the hall. A little chart popped up. Paul, the A.I. program reported, was currently in between tasks - but it predicted that he would begin checking his e-mail within five minutes. Thus, Horvitz explained, right now would be a great time to e-mail him; you’d be likely to get a quick reply. If you wanted to pay him a visit, the program also predicted that - based on his previous patterns - Paul would be back in his office in 30 minutes.
Maybe it says something about my psyche that my thoughts took this turn on reading this; but doesn’t this sound like a murder-mystery novel waiting to happen? A perfect study of someone’s daily routine and a prediction of their future motions?
Then, of course, there are the Orwellian implications of employers being able to get computer-reports on their employees’ mental productivity.
Nonetheless– a neat system. And it sort of makes me want one.
…Though the cogsci gadget I really want (and need) is the alarm-clock that’s keyed to your sleep cycle. Waking up clear and refreshed every morning– now that would be the life…
