What is Concierge Computing?
Concierge computing allows a person to have an ongoing, back-and-forth conversation with their computer or smartphone to accomplish a goal. Instead of manually clicking through apps, the person describes what they're trying to achieve in plain language, and the device collaborates by asking clarifying questions, making suggestions, and taking actions across different tools and applications.
The person can guide and adjust the process, while the system carries out much of the work.
Concierge computing answers: "Given this intent and evolving conditions, how should work be structured, executed, and adapted to achieve the desired outcome?" — and then carries it through.
Is Concierge Computing the Same as Personal Software?
No. Personal software is one possible output from concierge computing, but concierge computing can perform a much broader array of tasks to achieve the person's intent.
How is Concierge Computing Different from Artificial Intelligence?
Concierge Computing harnesses different types of AI:
- Predictive AI — Estimates and ranks: What is most likely?
- Generative AI — Proposes and synthesizes: What could be produced?
- Agentic AI — Plans and executes: What should be done?
- Concierge Computing — Exercises intent stewardship across all three
Key Characteristics
- Intent-first, not outcome-space-first
- Ongoing, collaborative execution, not single-shot output
- Judgment-aware autonomy
- A coordination layer, not a model class
- Stateful and persistent
How Does Concierge Computing Work Technically?
- Models how humans translate intent into action
- Orchestrates across multiple methods and domains
- Maintains intent over time, not just context in the moment
- Manages underspecification and ambiguity explicitly
- Escalates judgment rather than embedding it
What Technological Developments Enabled Concierge Computing?
- Reliable inference and representation of human intent
- Planning and sequencing work toward goals
- Direct use of tools and software
- Key software becoming API-addressable
- Maintaining state, context, and intent over time
- Cost, latency, and reliability sufficient for everyday use
- Selective escalation when human judgment is required