There are a lot of things done with tech today that prior generations could never imagine. Let’s be honest, some of it we never imagined. It wasn’t that long ago that a smart-controlled home or voice assistant were unheard of. Now Amazon is working to take its tech offerings to the next level. The retail giant is creating a voice-activated device that can identify human emotions, Bloomberg reported.
Described as a “health and wellness product,” the gadget can be worn on one’s wrist and will work with a smartphone app. It will use software that can “discern the wearer’s emotional state from the sound of his or her voice.”
Amazon hopes the device will eventually be able to counsel users on “how to interact more effectively with others.” Some, like Forbes columnist David Phelan, believe it could be “remarkable,” since he says his sarcasm is often misunderstood. Others are a little leery.
Listen to GHOGH with Jamarlin Martin | Episode 57: Howard Franklin PT 3 Part 3 of the Swamp Series: Jamarlin continues his talk with corporate lobbyist Howard Franklin, who has represented clients such as Amazon, Google and Sprint. They discuss the backdoor lobbying techniques of the swamp and the Congressional Black Caucus backing DCCC’s Cheri Bustos.
There is the chance this wrist-worn version of “Wall-E” could do as much harm as Amazon hopes it will do good. How frustrating is it when autocorrect thinks its smarter than its phone’s owner and sends a word or message in total opposition to what was intended.
What if this device misinterprets the tone of its wearers voice and gives harmful recommendations? What if, like Alexa, a host of Amazon employees will be listening to your emo-device as you speak?
None of those things improve health and wellness. As great as tech is, it’s also fallible, just like humanity.
Everyone will have to just wait and see if Amazon’s latest coup will be innovative or frightening. But then again, maybe the device will tell us how we feel about it. That seems to be the point.
