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It's a small world thanks to
BT's intelligent directory
Clever phone directory software from BT uses peoples’ social networks
to help them make quicker connections
It is speculated that most people on earth are separated from one another
by no more than six degrees of separation, or six friends of friends or
even work colleagues. If this is true it means that many people may be
a lot closer to Kylie than they think!
Scientific research into the possibility of linking any two people in
the world by six interpersonal relationships – or degrees of separation
– has been ongoing since the 1960s. But only now, thanks to innovative
artificial intelligence software developed by BT, can such a theory be
put into practice to improve business efficiency.
BT researchers have developed an intelligent contacts directory for businesses
using artificial intelligence software called small world directories
or SWORD, which saves time and effort in finding the right person and
makes much more efficient use of extensive company databases. It helps
users find and contact the person they are looking for much faster by
learning about users’ own social networks and usage patterns.
While online directories within large organisations have made it much
easier to find people’s phone numbers, contacting the right person
can still be a tricky business, especially if you are looking for a Smith,
Jones or Patel. SWORD works by putting the user at the centre of his or
her own universe, updating their personal contacts profile according to
the frequency and number of calls they make to colleagues. So as they
contact people, SWORD builds up information that increases the chance
of providing the right number at the top of the list next time around.
The system also locates colleagues’ numbers more quickly, by grouping
and ranking them according to various predefined criteria, such as their
organisational unit within a large company, or their geographical location.
To date, several of BT’s corporate customers have been impressed
with the prototype, which produces consistently accurate results. Furthermore,
its underlying technology also has the potential to help in mobile telephone
directory assistance. Whereas search criteria for fixed-line directory
enquiries are always very specific, such as name and address, the mobile
world is different. A mobile phone is usually not associated with a geographical
location, but a ‘social network’ of relationships, such as address
book lists, does exist between the people who own the phones. Potentially,
SWORD could make use of this social network to help make people easier
to contact, without the need to specify a physical address.
Mike Carr, director, research and venturing, BT said: “SWORD is
very appealing to use, it’s intuitive and unlike any existing directories,
the benefit of using it grows each time you use it. This research is significant
because it has combined the nature of human beings as social animals,
with leading-edge artificial intelligence technology, to help people connect
more quickly, and completely.”
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