Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for an interactive, intelligent hub built around the completion of a task. This hub brings together resources, information, suggested steps, and other automated assistance to facilitate the completion of the task. AI-based assistance may indicate which steps can be completed by automated processes, and dispatch those processes, or suggest resources to assist in the completion of other steps. The hub displays the current status of the task, and lives until the completion of the task, or abandonment by the user.

Abstract: A system and method to provide computer support for a meeting of invitees comprises accessing one or more sensory data streams providing digitized sensory data responsive to an activity of one or more of the invitees during the meeting, the one or more sensory data streams including at least one audio stream. The method also comprises subjecting the at least one audio stream to phonetic and situational computer modeling to recognize a sequence of words in the audio stream and to assign each word to an invitee, subjecting the sequence of words to semantic computer modeling to recognize a sequence of directives in the sequence of words, and releasing one or more output data streams based on the sequence of directives, the one or more output data streams including one or more notifications.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for scheduling a task of a user based on a cyber-physical-social (CPS) context of activities. The present disclosure is directed to increasing the efficiency of performing tasks by grouping tasks with the same or similar task CPS contexts so that they are performed in conjunction with one another. A stream of user activities is received that encompasses the CPS context, tasks are identified and classified based on a CPS context model. The CPS model is trained using CPS context and annotations for identified tasks as input to create classes of tasks. The classes of tasks from the model are used to group similar tasks. The present disclosure enables users to receive recommendations on clustering tasks with the same or similar contexts based on an online tool, a location, and collaborators to be performed together to improve productivity.

Abstract: A system and method to provide computer support for a meeting of invitees comprises accessing one or more sensory data streams providing digitized sensory data responsive to an activity of one or more of the invitees during the meeting, the one or more sensory data streams including at least one audio stream. The method also comprises subjecting the at least one audio stream to phonetic and situational computer modeling to recognize a sequence of words in the audio stream and to assign each word to an invitee, subjecting the sequence of words to semantic computer modeling to recognize a sequence of directives in the sequence of words, and releasing one or more output data streams based on the sequence of directives, the one or more output data streams including one or more notifications.

Abstract: A digital task document can include instructions for performing a task, and a task state data structure can indicate a state of completion of the task. A first update of the data structure can be performed in response to visual user input received from a user profile via a first computer application/device. A second update of the data structure can be performed in response to natural language input received from the user profile via the second computer application/device. A first set of task guidance can be provided to the user profile via the first application/device in a visual format by displaying the task document on a computer display. A second set of task guidance can be provided to the user profile via the second application/device in a natural language format. The first and second sets of task guidance can be provided using the task document and the data structure.

Abstract: Biases in search and retrieval (i.e., situations where searchers seek or are presented with information that significantly deviates from the truth) may be detected by comparison to one or more authoritative sources. Once bias or potential bias is detected, techniques may be applied to indicate and/or compensate for the bias. Such techniques may allow users to more easily assess the veracity of search results, and increase the chances that users will locate accurate answers to their questions.

Abstract: A digital task document can include instructions for performing a task, and a task state data structure can indicate a state of completion of the task. A first update of the data structure can be performed in response to visual user input received from a user profile via a first computer application/device. A second update of the data structure can be performed in response to natural language input received from the user profile via the second computer application/device. A first set of task guidance can be provided to the user profile via the first application/device in a visual format by displaying the task document on a computer display. A second set of task guidance can be provided to the user profile via the second application/device in a natural language format. The first and second sets of task guidance can be provided using the task document and the data structure.

Abstract: Biases in search and retrieval (i.e., situations where searchers seek or are presented with information that significantly deviates from the truth) may be detected by comparison to one or more authoritative sources. Once bias or potential bias is detected, techniques may be applied to indicate and/or compensate for the bias. Such techniques may allow users to more easily assess the veracity of search results, and increase the chances that users will locate accurate answers to their questions.

Abstract: Aspects of the technology described herein provide an efficient user interface that enables users to respond to tasks quickly by providing automated quick task notifications via an audio channel. An audio channel quick task system includes components for recognizing and extracting quick tasks from content (e.g., interpersonal communications, composed content, line of business (LOB) application documents), and for prioritizing and routing the quick tasks to the user via an audio channel at an appropriate and relevant time. The system is enabled to process a user response, determine an action for handling the quick task, and execute the action on behalf of the user (e.g., pass a reply to a requestor, pass an instruction to an application or service, queue the quick task notification, delegate the quick task to another user or bot, forward the quick task to a companion device, or launch an application on a companion device).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for user interaction and task completion using multiple devices. A set of devices may be used to perform a task, such that different devices may perform different steps of the task. A device management service may update state information at each device of the set, thereby enabling a user to interact with any of the computing devices to perform the task. A device management service may also automatically determine which device should be used by the user, based on task or step requirements, device characteristics, and device capabilities, among other examples. Thus, rather than being required to continue a task on the same device (even when the device is not well-suited for the current step or task), the user is provided with the option to use and, in some instances, is automatically transitioned to use, different devices within the set.

Abstract: A digital task document can include instructions for performing a task, and a task state data structure can indicate a state of completion of the task. A first update of the data structure can be performed in response to visual user input received from a user profile via a first computer application/device. A second update of the data structure can be performed in response to natural language input received from the user profile via the second computer application/device. A first set of task guidance can be provided to the user profile via the first application/device in a visual format by displaying the task document on a computer display. A second set of task guidance can be provided to the user profile via the second application/device in a natural language format. The first and second sets of task guidance can be provided using the task document and the data structure.

Abstract: A proximity of a first computing device with a second computing device can be detected. In response to the detecting of the proximity, it can be determined that a computer-readable qualification for a type of proactive engagement is met using the detected proximity and possibly a non-proximity state of the first device. The type of proactive engagement can be matched in the computer system with an operation that is programmed to be performed using a computerized natural language digital assistant. In response to the determining that the qualification for the type of proactive engagement is met, the technique can include performing a user engagement action via the second device. The user engagement action can be of a type indicated by the type of proactive engagement. The user engagement action can facilitate a computerized communication session between a computer-readable user profile and the computerized natural language digital assistant.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for resolving duration estimates for various tasks. A duration calculating system receives task information. The task information includes characteristics and metadata, which are derivable from the received task information. A duration for the task is estimated based on characteristics, the metadata, and relevant historical data. The duration estimate may then be presented to a user and feedback as to the accuracy of the estimate may be collected. The feedback may, in turn, be added to the historical data to improve subsequent time estimates while respecting and protecting user privacy.

Abstract: A digital task document can include instructions for performing a task, and a task state data structure can indicate a state of completion of the task. A first update of the data structure can be performed in response to visual user input received from a user profile via a first computer application/device. A second update of the data structure can be performed in response to natural language input received from the user profile via the second computer application/device. A first set of task guidance can be provided to the user profile via the first application/device in a visual format by displaying the task document on a computer display. A second set of task guidance can be provided to the user profile via the second application/device in a natural language format. The first and second sets of task guidance can be provided using the task document and the data structure.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to deferring a message based upon a target situation for message presentation. One example provides a computing device including an output subsystem including one or more output devices, an input subsystem including one or more user input devices, and a logic device. The computing device further includes memory storing instructions executable by the logic device to receive a message from a remote computing system, output a notification of the message via the output subsystem, and receive via the input subsystem a request for a deferral of the message, the request for the deferral including an annotation to be stored for a later presentation with the message.

Abstract: A proximity of a first computing device with a second computing device can be detected. In response to the detecting of the proximity, it can be determined that a computer-readable qualification for a type of proactive engagement is met using the detected proximity and possibly a non-proximity state of the first device. The type of proactive engagement can be matched in the computer system with an operation that is programmed to be performed using a computerized natural language digital assistant. In response to the determining that the qualification for the type of proactive engagement is met, the technique can include performing a user engagement action via the second device. The user engagement action can be of a type indicated by the type of proactive engagement. The user engagement action can facilitate a computerized communication session between a computer-readable user profile and the computerized natural language digital assistant.

Abstract: A system and method to provide computer support for a meeting of invitees comprises accessing one or more sensory data streams providing digitized sensory data responsive to an activity of one or more of the invitees during the meeting, the one or more sensory data streams including at least one audio stream. The method also comprises subjecting the at least one audio stream to phonetic and situational computer modeling to recognize a sequence of words in the audio stream and to assign each word to an invitee, subjecting the sequence of words to semantic computer modeling to recognize a sequence of directives in the sequence of words, and releasing one or more output data streams based on the sequence of directives, the one or more output data streams including one or more notifications.

Abstract: Techniques for enabling an artificial intelligence system to infer grounded intent from user input, and automatically suggest and/or execute actions associated with the predicted intent. In an aspect, core task descriptions are extracted from actionable statements identified as containing grounded intent. A machine classifier receives the core task description, actionable statements, and user input to predict an intent class for the user input. The machine classifier may be trained using unsupervised learning techniques based on weakly labeled clusters of the core task description extracted over a training corpus. The core task description may include verb-object pairs.

Abstract: Aspects of the technology described herein provide an efficient user interface that enables users to respond to tasks quickly by providing automated quick task notifications via an audio channel. An audio channel quick task system includes components for recognizing and extracting quick tasks from content (e.g., interpersonal communications, composed content, line of business (LOB) application documents), and for prioritizing and routing the quick tasks to the user via an audio channel at an appropriate and relevant time. The system is enabled to process a user response, determine an action for handling the quick task, and execute the action on behalf of the user (e.g., pass a reply to a requestor, pass an instruction to an application or service, queue the quick task notification, delegate the quick task to another user or bot, forward the quick task to a companion device, or launch an application on a companion device).

Abstract: A system that analyses content of electronic communications may automatically extract requests or commitments from the electronic communications. In one example process, a processing component may analyze the content to determine one or more meanings of the content; query content of one or more data sources that is related to the electronic communications; and based, at least in part, on (i) the one or more meanings of the content and (ii) the content of the one or more data sources, automatically identify and extract a request or commitment from the content. Multiple actions may follow from initial recognition and extraction, including confirmation and refinement of the description of the request or commitment, and actions that assist one or more of the senders, recipients, or others to track and address the request or commitment, including the creation of additional messages, reminders, appointments, or to-do lists.