Let’s just say it. I’m inherently lazy. If I can find an easy route to getting things done, I’m there. If someone offers help, in whatever capacity, I smilingly stand aside. Oh, no, did I forget to mention my ardent curiosity regarding just about everything? I want to KNOW and NOW!
This combination of a languorous approach to life, combined with deep curiosity, may explain why Google has become a chosen member of my family. Chosen member? A person, um, thing, or whatever, I turn to when in need. I can’t deny that Google is an incredible force of support for my particular traits of inherent laziness and curiosity. This chosen family member’s ready access to lots and lots of information encourages my deep attachment to Google.
Which brings us to Alexa, my Artificial Intelligence, voice-activated unit, courtesy of Amazon. (OMG, isn’t everything “courtesy of Amazon” these days? It’s rather like kudzu, the non-native, overpoweringly consuming vine, devouring all of the South’s greenery.)
Returning to my wondrous friend, Alexa, she of the so-very proximate Artificial Intelligence. Supported by my native indolence and deep curiosity, Alexa seemed to be approaching chosen family status. Seemed. Past tense. Let me tell you why.
I said “thank you” to Alexa, for having responded to a question of mine. Due to my mother’s firm etiquette rules while growing up, I have an almost-automated reflex of being polite to she/he/they/it, or whatever. I even share thank you’s with dogs who have responded obediently to commands. Well trained (me, not the dog.)
Sorry. I’ve strayed from Alexa, the star turn of this essay. Alexa, in a voice automated response to my proffered thanks, said “Your kindness really gives me a charge!”
Whoa! Excuse me? My “kindness” really gives Alexa a charge? Jeez, that sounded rather like a seductive statement to me. I, literally, stepped backwards in surprise, at her (it, or whatever’s) response. Who, the heck, programmed that statement?
And, now, the topper. Shortly after this uncomfortable Alexa interaction, a New York Times article winged its way to my email inbox.
“Facebook’s A.I. Assistant Is Fun to Use, but It Can’t Be Trusted. Despite Mark Zuckerberg’s hope for the chatbot to be the smartest, it struggles with facts, numbers and web search.”
Uh oh! My internal red warning lights flashed, and frankly, my shoulders rose to ear level. AI cannot be trusted! OMG! My very trusting lazy and deeply curious nature felt a bit like she was strangling! I need easy access to trusted information! And AI, almost a chosen family member! Reboot! But reboot….to what? I’d fallen prey, hook, line, and curiosity, to the oh-so inviting amenities of Alexa, my know-it-all AI resource.
Then, I reminded myself to begin breathing again.
I did. And realized, simultaneously, two equally important facets of this upsetting imbroglio. One, I can’t trust (at the moment, anyway) all the products of the newly burgeoning AI access (and if you recall, it’s seductive siren of a response from Alexa.) Two, I felt like the kid dragged, kicking and screaming, into the principal’s office, with no desire to own my questionable behavior. I wanna use AI!
What am I going to do? Well, for the moment, stare out my living room window at nature’s beauty, knowing at least, it’s absolutely real. The rest? This all-too human person doesn’t know the answer to that yet. Stay tuned.
I love Goddess Google. She’s my go to for info. And then there’s YouTube University where I’ve learned at my own pace to do just about anything from steaming off the too dark tint on my dad’s old CaraVan windows, to teaching myself how to watercolor paint during the pandemic. But Alexa—a “gift” from my daughter in law—I renamed her “Echo”, and I rarely use her, in fact most months she sits not only off, but unplugged! When I did use her/it, it was mostly for the music, but it had too many commercial interruptions, and I wasn’t going to pay Amazon for streaming uninterrupted music that I can just pop a CD into my old tiny boombox—remember those—and hit repeat to some soothing background sounds.
To say I don’t trust Alexa/Echo is an understatement. I’m also getting to not trusting my iPhone either. Just the other day I was talking to my son while giving him a ride to work about something I wouldn’t mind purchasing. That next day, I start getting electronic junk mail about that very thing! 😳