Why I Am Polite with AI — (previously “Yelling at Alexa”)
Have you ever found yourself shouting at your voice assistant, like Alexa or Siri, in frustration? Maybe you've even tried to "trick" them into doing something silly, like calculating a ridiculously complex equation. But have you stopped to think about how our interactions with these devices reflect our behavior and values?
As we increasingly rely on AI-powered devices, politeness isn't just a nicety – it's a necessity. By being kind and courteous to our devices, we're not only creating a more harmonious relationship with technology, but also fostering empathy in our broader interactions.
So, the next time you're tempted to yell at your voice assistant, remember that behind every device is a team of developers who are listening in. Take a deep breath, and try using a little courtesy instead. Your AI might just reward you with a better experience.
A post-script: I had a roommate who worked at Amazon when the first Echo Dot was released. We found it a source of amusement, but it had severe limitations. This month, after years of being, "Alexa-free", I got a new 6th-Generation Echo Dot, expecting it to be infused with AI, or perhaps something akin to brilliance.
But I say, as an advocate for tech, Alexa is a still the exact same lonely, dimensionless, and simple device as the original seven years ago. Alexa has not moved one iota towards anything like intelligence or expanded her features. She has the same glitches, pauses, inflections, and basic functions. So, I have found myself again, yelling at Alexa (usually so I can thwart her answer and be heard above her. I am not proud of it, but there it is.) If we were ever worried about the Alexas and Google Homes overtaking the world, we are light-years away from it resembling human intelligence. AIsure, Alexa? No way...
