I admit it. I don't want technology thinking for me. Call me a bit paranoid but I worry about invasion of privacy and I hate giving up control so I dislike having my buying habits tracked by my internet purchases. I hate autocorrect on my phone and I will be the last person to purchase a refrigerator that manages my food needs.
Have you heard about the Samsung "Family Hub" refrigerator? It has a tablet built-in the front panel and a variety of apps to help you with not only your food needs but also with calendaring your family's schedule. It features cameras inside so you can see what is in your refrigerator. The bells and whistles go on and on. All I can think is I just want it to keep my milk cold. Hhmmm.
How about the smart mirrors being made by EKKO? They allow you to scan your emails or check Facebook while putting on your make-up. Is that really necessary?
We have all seen the myriad voice-activated devices out there. From roving vacuum cleaners to the utility control systems these are very popular. Some of these make sense but others take away our need to make decisions for ourselves. That is the part I don't like.
How about Kuri, a 20-inch robot that is billed as a way to connect your devices and monitor your home when you are away? It will even read bedtime stories to your children. Perhaps the owner can put down their phone and read to the children themselves!
Oops. I got a bit snippy there. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a game changer in many ways but can also replace human thought, touch and connection and it can be dangerous. I think that is what worries me. I am not alone in this thinking. Perhaps you have heard about the open letter circulating by the Future of Life Institute that expresses concern about AI being used in weapons. Elon Musk, Stephen Hawking and many others knowledgeable about this field have signed the letter. Musk was on the news last week calling for government regulation in that area.
Technology can be good in so many ways yet, in the wrong hands, it also has the capacity to harm. While my thoughts don't center around the use in weaponry, I am concerned about technology sapping the human heart out of the home. Use technology to assist and it is useful. Use it to replace and we can run into danger. I am the first to promote a listing online but will be the last to have Kuri read to my children. Use technology wisely my friends.
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If you are interested in reading the Open Letter on AI Click here. The subject if fascinating.
