AI Trainers: A New Era of Self-Improvement

Definition:
Trainer (noun): A person who trains people or animals.
Synonyms: Instructor, coach, teacher, mentor, adviser, counsellor

Part 2 - Hiring a trainer is one of the best options to learn or accomplish something new. However, with the advent of AI, there might be a new option available - using an AI Trainer. I've decided to develop a set of AI Trainers to help with my self-development. They will become commonplace in the near future. For instance, Facebook has recently unveiled a collection of AI Personas. Mine will be tuned much more to my needs, with only the features I want, and my data will remain inside my eco-system.

I aim to create various AI Trainers to assist in different areas of self-improvement. I intend to share my conversations with friends and family in specific scenarios, allowing them to participate.

Below are the essential elements needed for this solution:

• Chat system
• Private Data Repository
• Calendar and Schedule Integration
• Knowledge Base Articles
• AI Integration
• Communication Channels Integration
• Conversation Context
• Gamification
• Dashboard and Reporting
• Search Features
• Automations

Chat System

The chat system supports threaded conversations with individual AI trainers. The history of each chat and thread will let me start new and continue existing discussions. The AI Trainer can also initiate conversations; for example, it will ask me questions based on a trigger, such as a schedule or following up on something that happened previously. I will also use the chat history to identify levels of commitment and consistency, helping to provide indicators of likely success or failure.

Private Data Repository

Each AI Trainer will have a data repository to store data. The data design will cater to the specific needs of the AI Trainer, ranging from a simple single table to a much more complex structure. Dashboard data and reports will encapsulate data derived from this repository.

Calendar and Schedule Integration

I already utilise Microsoft Calendars, so the integration will be direct, enabling the AI to interrogate my calendar to create, update, and delete appointments.

AI Integration

Leveraging the OpenAI API, I'll incorporate the necessary AI features. With platforms like OpenAI evolving rapidly, numerous enhancements will be integrated in the coming months, offering more flexibility and robust capabilities.

Knowledge Base Articles

The AI must have access to high-quality information. A homegrown knowledge base is preferable over relying on online searches. Creating a knowledge base also augments my learning—the more effort invested, the deeper the understanding of the subject matter. The AI can reference this material during our interactions, making the conversations more insightful.

Communication Channels

My AI Trainers need to initiate conversations, revisit existing discussions and start new ones when appropriate, using Emails, SMS, and Push Notifications. I might incorporate voice calls in phase 2. Having already experienced AI-initiated conversations, it is a valuable feature. However, it can sometimes get annoying, so I'll add the ability to halt communications when non-response patterns are detected.

Gamification

I'm a sucker for gamification features. I like counters, targets and achievements. Each AI Trainer will have gamification features to help me accomplish things and encourage consistency.

Dashboard and Reporting

Every AI Trainer will feature a dashboard showcasing unique KPIs tailored to each Trainer. Understanding progress, focus, and achievements is pivotal to ensure continuous and consistent self-improvement. Rather than create custom dashboards, I'll use the chat system to deliver dashboard and reporting information.

Search

Each AI Trainer should be capable of examining web-based information and packaging it for conversation use. Web crawlers will assist in finding information to answer specific questions for each Trainer, extending the knowledge base to help improve the responses.

Automations

Integrating IFTTT to create automations will be a great addition, such as logging information when visiting specific locations, asking questions, and incorporating additional services. Automations will save development time and extend features to other services I already use.

What's Next?

The potential to establish different schedules, KPIs, knowledge base articles, and basic dashboards and reports, all steered by interactions with an AI Agent, will significantly aid in the various areas of self-improvement I'm targeting.

Stay tuned for more posts detailing the development of my AI Training self-improvement agents and, of course, the progress I make as a result.