We’re definitely enjoying the calm after this year's fantastic VOICE Summit, but with the flurry of brilliant write-ups and fond feedback from the voice-first community, we’re looking forward to the next one.
We’re definitely enjoying the calm after this year's fantastic VOICE Summit, but with the flurry of brilliant write-ups and fond feedback from the voice-first community, we’re looking forward to the next one.
It's the week after VOICE 2019. Every speaker, attendee, and organizer has returned home and had time to look back and reflect on what can only be described as a memorable four days.
At the main stage, Pete waves in the panel in charge of "Addressing Bias in AI". Darlene Gilliard, founder of digitalundivided starts off the conversation in her usual cheerful tone with a definition of bias. She defers to Jennifer Heap from Vixen Labs to answer the first question: where are we now on bias in tech?
VOICE Summit started a little later today. Attendees trickle onto the main floor, taking advantage of the empty stage to snap a few selfies in front of the large letters spelling "VOICE".
The main stage is glowing once again. Every round table is set, the screens upfront are poised with the first slide of the night, and attendees are visibly excited as they take their assigned seats. The first drinks are being served and the summit's signature tune is playing as everyone gets settled—taking in their surroundings.
The afternoon starts with a winner. At the pop-up shop on the EXPO floor, Mystery Boxes filled with "VOICE swag" have been flying off the shelves. One box, hidden in the pile, contains nothing but a single golden ticket.
Day Two at VOICE beginswith a keynote from James "JP" Poulter on his lessons learned after a year in Voice. His cheerful session is laden with insights on the Voice industry, peppered with humor to keep the audience on their toes in the early hours of the day.
In the main stage Atrium, a series of casual Alexa conversations are taking place. The pair currently on-stage are presenting their Alexa skill called Diamond Slots—but their Alexa is seemingly unaware of her role in the presentation, spontaneously answering "Sorry, I don't know that."
After the lunch rush, guests with renewed energy flock to the Exhibitors floor. In what is named "Instagram Alley," a seven-foot Amazon Alexa stands by the entrance for people to chat with her inside, two comfy blue beanbags rest against the wall, and two glass Amazon Alexa booths offer a silent refuge for anyone needing to take an emergency call or get some last-minute work done.