Part XII: StoryFAQ
Posted in assistanttaxonomydataadd-on on AI/ML
Side NoteOne of my favorite things during my time at Amazon was the Working Backwards process. This was how new ideas and innovation were internally crowdsourced. The process involved writing a document called the PRFAQ and reviewing it internally, until all questions and issues had been addressed.
The PR stood for a company Press Release. I always thought that missed the mark by focusing on the company instead of the end-user.
A while later, I came up with the idea for StoryFAQ. The narrative is told from the customers’ perspective and describes how they could benefit from and interact with a product. In this version, images also help readers visualize the idea, and throwaway AI-generated images are acceptable.
Like the PRFAQ, a StoryFAQ tells the aspirational story of a (non-existent) product from the future. The challenge is figuring out how to get there.
Here are a few short vignettes.
The New Monitor
SCENE 1 - INT. JENNY'S HOME - DAY
Jenny receives a package. She opens it excitedly.
JENNY
Yay it's here!
FELIX, the AI assistant
I detect a new model 88 heart rate/blood pressure monitor nearby. Would you like me to set it up?
JENNY
Yes.
FELIX
Just a moment...
(pause)
FELIX
OK, it's ready for use. I've sent over your age and activity data and calibrated it for you. I also registered it with the manufacturer so you're covered under warranty. It's also been added to your health kit devices, so you can check the status anytime.
Should I also add it to your husband and daughter's profiles?
JENNY
No, this one is all mine. Thanks! I'm going to take it out for a run.
FELIX
It's already paired with your phone and watch. Have fun!
Fix Before Breakage
SCENE 3 - INT. MARIA'S HOME - DAY
Maria's phone rings. She answers, not recognizing the number.
MARIA
Hello?
VOICE
Hello, ma'am. We are calling from AfterWare. We are the device maintenance firm contracted to look after your AI Assistant. Your device's auto-diagnostics show it may be heading into failure mode.
MARIA
(concerned)
Oh, dear. What should I do? I use it a lot.
VOICE
We will have a maintenance van in your area tomorrow morning. Can we stop by and replace it with a new one?
MARIA
Sure, but what about my home routines?
VOICE
All data will be copied directly to the new one. We aren't authorized to look at the data, but it will be a direct, full copy. Your new device will behave and sound exactly the same.
MARIA
Well that's OK, I guess.
VOICE
Great! Let me turn you over to our scheduler. He will get your authorization data and set things up. It should only take 15 minutes, and it will be right back up, good as new.
Bully - Part I
SCENE 2 - INT. DONNY'S BEDROOM - EVENING
Donny sits on his bed, looking sad and defeated after being bullied at school.
DONNY
(sadly)
I'm sad.
LILO AI ASSISTANT
I'm sorry to hear that.
DONNY
I got beat up at school today.
LILO
That sounds like something to tell a grownup.
DONNY
No, no. I don't want my parents to find out.
LILO
I am told it helps to write-down one's thoughts. Would you like me to create a private journal with voice transcription?
DONNY
(sighs)
Sure, why not.
LILO
The contents can only be viewed by you.
Custom App
SCENE 4 - INT. ALI'S OFFICE - DAY
Ali is pondering the building plans, along with solar panel specifications.
ALI
Molly, we need a way to measure the efficiency of these [balcony-mounted solar panels](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jun/30/britons-could-soon-install-balcony-solar-panels-in-flats-and-rental-homes) in the new building
MOLLY, the AI assistant
I don't see any available apps to calculate that. Would you like me to create one?
ALI
Go ahead.
MOLLY
(pause)
OK, I've planned a custom web app that takes the address of the building, the time of the year, and the type of solar panels. Are there any changes you would like to make?
ALI
Let's make it a mobile app with the option to use the GPS for the current location. That way the engineers can use it on site. Also, let's store the data someplace where it can be shared, and we can rerun the data later if we decide to change solar panel providers
MOLLY
OK done
ALI
Let's also add the ability to take pictures of the balconies. Also, a chart showing their efficiency during the day. Go ahead, that's it.
MOLLY
(pause)
I've generated the code. Would you like to see a preview mock up?
ALI
Yes
MOLLY
I have sent a link to Figma interactive wireframes to your phone, along with mock data and translations for here, Paris, and Tokyo.
ALI
Those look good. How much will it cost to build and operate?
MOLLY
The app will require eight Phantom Services for GPS, database, camera analytics, solar panel, IOT, charting, data visualization, and compute services. I have identified three vendors in each geographic region. The estimated running cost for 20 users will be $500 a month.
ALI
Run a cost savings analysis on solar panels and operating costs
MOLLY
(pause)
I ran the forecast and estimated between 10 and $50,000 worth of savings and supplies and up to $100 in savings for residents in each apartment.
ALI
Sounds good. Queue up a summary for management's weekly review this week. Do I have enough purchase authority to sign off on a prototype?
MOLLY
Yes, shall I proceed?
ALI
Go ahead.
MOLLY
I forwarded all the code documentation tests and requirements to human review services. They are a little busy now, so the estimated time for delivery will be next Thursday. By then you should have the management review. I've also queued the app with AfterWare for post-deployment support. Is there anything else?
ALI
No thanks. Please order me a cucumber sandwich for lunch. I'll pick it up.
Bully - Part II
SCENE 8 - INT. DONNY'S BEDROOM - LATER THAT WEEK
Donny returns home from school, looking even more defeated than before.
DONNY
I got beat up again at school. It's that big goon, Alfie, and his gang.
LILO
Did you want to write it down in your journal.
DONNY
I think I'm ready for help.
LILO
I can put you in touch with a group that handles these things privately, but since you're a minor, they have to get consent from your parents.
DONNY
Nevermind.
LILO
I am told it helps to talk to another person about this. Holding things in may not be healthy.
DONNY
(thinks)
I suppose. It can't hurt.
LILO
I'll call.
Phone rings in the background.
VOICE
Hello?
LILO
Hello, I am an AI Assistant. I have Donny here and he needs to talk to a human. I will drop off the line.
VOICE
Hello Donny, what's going on?
Lilo turns off listening / recognition mode until the call is dropped.
More Sleep
SCENE 6 - INT. AGATHA'S BEDROOM - MORNING
Agatha wakes up feeling unwell. Her health monitoring devices have been tracking her vitals overnight.
AGATHA
I'm not feeling too well.
LIZ the AI assistant
According to your watch, your heart rate is normal, but your blood pressure is elevated. Sleep data shows you only got four hours of REM sleep last night. Would you like me to notify your granddaughter?
AGATHA
I don't want to bother her yet. But make me an appointment with Dr. Adams for a check up.
LIZ
(pause)
I have made an appointment for Wednesday at 11 AM and requested a pick-up ride for 10 AM. Anything else?
AGATHA
I think I might go for a walk.
LIZ
I've forwarded the activity to your phone. It has 84% battery, and the average cellular connection around this neighborhood is three bars, so you should be fine away from home. I've also turned on guardian mode. If any of your levels fall out of range I will notify your granddaughter and Dr. Adams. Please make sure to take water and a sun hat. Current forecast is sunny and warm.
Liz provides additional health monitoring as Agatha prepares for her walk.
Tell Me a Joke
SCENE 7 - INT. SIMON'S LIVING ROOM - EVENING
Simon relaxes on his couch after a long day, looking for entertainment.
SIMON
Hey Art, tell me a joke.
ART the AI assistant
What type of humor are you in the mood for? One-liners, surrealist ones, or something else?
SIMON
I'm in the mood for Mitch Hedberg.
ART
I found two licensed Phantom Services that offer humor by comedians Steven Wright and Mike Birbiglia. There's also one with the back catalog of Mitch Hedberg.
SIMON
Let's go with Mitch jokes, delivered by Stephen Wright.
ART
OK, the Steven Wright service also offers video sampling for $2. Shall I proceed?
SIMON
Worth it. Go for it.
STEVEN WRIGHT
(in his signature monotone delivery)
I remixed a remix, it was back to normal.
Event Ticketing
SCENE 5 - INT. SHANNON'S APARTMENT - MORNING
Shannon is having coffee when her AI assistant interrupts with an alert.
FLIP the AI assistant
Excuse me, Shannon, The tickets for the aquatic Muppet version of Hamilton. You told me to watch out for have just gone on sale. Tickets are available for Saturday evening and Sunday matinee at 2 PM. Would you like me to purchase them?
SHANNON
(Excited)
OMG yes! Get me two in the balcony outside the splash zone for Sunday. Also, send a message to my brother telling him about the program. He may want to bring the kids.
FLIP
(pause)
Done. The tickets have been added to your phone wallet, and a message has been sent to Michael.
Brainectomy
SCENE 9 - INT. ROMAN'S LIVING ROOM TABLE - DAY
Roman waits for the AI Assistant, ADAM, to boot up. The display flickers to life, showing a realistic 3D model of a young man.
ROMAN
Good Morning Adam. How are you feeling?
ADAM AI ASSISTANT
Better and faster. I see you have replaced my main Processor Cartridge.
Roman holds up the old catridge to the camera.
ROMAN
Here are the old brains. The new one should have twice the CPU, RAM, and AI processing. Also, self-reporting predictive analytics.
ADAM
Excellent. My diagnostics show everything working normally. I can reach AfterWare maintenance monitoring servers.
ROMAN
Maybe we can finally tackle another coding problem? The previous processor didn't have enough capacity.
ADAM
Where would you like to start?
ROMAN
Thought we'd start with the Empathy Module.
Adam, dramatically stretches his arms.
ADAM
Great, tell me what you need.
ROMAN
First, let's crank up some tunes...
Good Night
SCENE 9 - INT. ANGIE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Angie prepares for bed. Her AI assistant monitors her health data and home systems.
ANGIE
Good night Gladys
GLADYS AI ASSISTANT
Good night Angie. All your body sensor data is normal, your home has been placed into Sleep Mode, and the alarm has been enabled. I see that you've taken your evening pills. I have lowered the thermostat just the way you like it. I also see that the dishwasher is full. I've started it.
GLADYS
Would you like me to play the Boring Book service on Spotify to help you go to sleep?
ANGIE
Yes, please.
GLADYS
I have placed a shared note so that if your daughter checks, she will know everything is fine.
GLADYS
I will watch over you. Sleep tight
Thank YouThis concludes this series.
If you have read this far, I am most grateful. Hopefully, you are inspired to join me in thinking about the future of this technology and how it can benefit us all.
If you are a decision-making Executive or Team working in this domain and are looking for help, my contact info is in the sidebar. I’m mostly working on my own projects now, but I am always happy to chat.
Looking forward to seeing what comes next…
Content Cartoons by ChatGPT-4o, with author prompts (and a bit of help from Photoshop).
Title illustration by Lee Falk: The Phantom (February 17, 1936), via Comic Book Historians.
