Privacy in the Age of Smart Speakers

“Alexa, what would I do without you?”

Users of smart speakers may find themselves asking a similar question, but what is it about these products that keeps people attached and asking away?

Though the use of voice assistants and artificial intelligence has been around for years, it is growing in popularity – particularly through the use of smart speakers. The gadgets act as personal helpers as they answer questions, conduct searches, and complete tasks for their user, all powered by the internet.

With responses intelligent and human-like, the smart speaker is toeing a fine line between intelligent device and human imposter – a line users may see as a blur. So much so, these witty side-kicks are becoming more than just a digital tool to their owners and families.

As the popularity of smart speakers continues to grow, with a prediction of more than 100 million devices installed by the end of 2018, they are becoming a staple in the lives of their users. They are often used for simple tasks such as playing music, checking the weather forecast, or making calls. However, their use extends beyond these duties, as many users have found social benefits in the company of their smart speakers.

The devices are programmed to respond with the intelligence of a human, and do so with wit and humor. A spokeswoman from Amazon stated that the company wants their smart speaker, Alexa, to have a personality that reflects the company’s values, making it “smart, humble, sometimes funny.”

The responses of the devices have contributed to the initial draw to the products. Martha Friedman, a mother of two, said she was wary about adopting another device at first, but admitted, “its funny, I just couldn’t resist it.”

She is not alone.

What started with intrigue and curiosity, has become a sense of comfort for some users, including Sandra Brooks. “They are programmed to make us speak to them as if they are human. More than once, I’ve found myself telling my Google Assistant that I’m Lonely,” she said. “It answers ‘I wish I had arms so I could give you a hug. But for now maybe a joke or some music would help.’”

The devices are so personable that 1 million people proposed marriage to their Alexa in 2017, according to a spokeswoman at Amazon. Though Alexa is programmed to decline politely, she never loses her witty personality, giving responses like, “We’re at pretty different places in our lives. Literally, I mean you’re on earth and I’m in the cloud.”

The friendly personality of smart speakers may bring a sense of company to the lonely user, but criticism of the devices’ personification still exists. The concerns circle around artificial intelligence becoming too human-like. Gummi Nafsteinsson, an assistant head product manager at Google, agrees, stating that “Google assistant is humble; it’s helpful and a little playful at times. But voice assistants shouldn’t pretend to be human.”

Still, there are other social benefits to the use of smart speakers, apart from their controversial companionship. According to the National Public Radio and Edison Research report in 2018, 48% of parents said they bought one to help cut back on screen time in their homes.

Friedman, who originally purchased a device out of curiosity and entertainment, has found benefits in the screen-less technology. “Before we got Alexa, the only way to play music was on our computers or phones. And every time my son sees a screen he thinks it’s time to watch TV,” she said. “It’s great to have a way to listen to music or the radio that doesn’t involve using a screen.”

Many parents have had similar experiences with their smart speakers. Catrin Morris, a single mother of two, is less fond of her device, telling herself every week, “I’m going to throw Alexa into the bin.” But she never does. Before she brought Alexa into her home, she couldn’t stop her children from bringing their devices to the dinner table. Now she can, “at least with Alexa it’s easier.”

Any method of distracting children from the screens of their devices seems a success for parents these days, making smart speakers a way for families to disconnect from their screens and reconnect with one another. It is a way for parents to fight technology with technology, as voice assistants give our new digital world a personal touch.

Though proven helpful, not everyone is thrilled by the idea of introducing artificial intelligence to children from a young age. During an interview with an Alexa user, Sasha Brown expressed concern for the future of a world enhanced by the charm of voice assistance.

“I wonder how dependent children will be come who grow up with these devices. I can see these devices not only connecting them with friends, like phones do, but actually being their friends. They are always upbeat, always knowledgeable, always available. But at the same time, for all you know, they are selling on your data and your secrets.”

The youth of today’s world will benefit from the convenience and the company of smart speakers. But will they become dependent on the responses of Alexa or her peers? Though these speakers are seen by many as friendly assistants with practical and social benefits for themselves and their families, users must remember to reflect on the impact of their devices, and ask Alexa what they would do without her.