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Amazon Alexa slammed for giving lethal challenge to 10-year-old girl
Bleeping Computer ^ | 12 28 2021 | Ax Sharma

Posted on 12/28/2021 1:09:32 PM PST by yesthatjallen

An Amazon Echo owner was left shocked after Alexa proposed a dangerous challenge to her ten-year-old daughter.

AI-powered virtual assistants like Alexa that power smart devices and speakers such as Echo, Echo Dot, and Amazon Tap, come with a plethora of capabilities. These include enabling the users to play simple verbal games or request "challenges" on demand.

A 'shocking' challenge

When sitting idle, such as during the holidays, it wouldn't be unusual for an Amazon Echo owner to ask Alexa, "tell me a challenge to do."

Typically such an auditory request has the AI prompting the user with a quiz question or a similar brainstorming activity.

"The challenge is simple," said Alexa. "Plug in a phone charger about halfway into a wall outlet, then touch a penny to the exposed prongs."

"I was right there and yelled, 'No, Alexa, no!' like it was a dog," said Livdahl, a writer and a worried mother.

"My daughter says she is too smart to do something like that anyway."

SNIP

(Excerpt) Read more at bleepingcomputer.com ...


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: alexa; amazon; challenge
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To: maddog55

“We’re retired and go to the store together.”

You have never had your wife make an emergency request for an ingredient required to complete the meal she is cooking?

You go everywhere together? You never had your spouse request you stop off at a store on your way home?


101 posted on 12/28/2021 3:45:16 PM PST by TexasGator (UF)
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To: discostu

These silly AI products are nothing but annoying machines.

The good news for people like you is you don’t have to be burdened with the belief that AI is intellectually or morally competent.

A creation is always less than its creator. Stupidity is well within the capacity of AI.


102 posted on 12/28/2021 3:48:02 PM PST by reasonisfaith (What are the implications if the Resurrection of Christ is a true event in history?)
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To: maddog55

“I’ve watched forecast and they don’t give me an accurate one either.”

Actually, forecasts are pretty darn accurate.


103 posted on 12/28/2021 3:52:34 PM PST by TexasGator (UF)
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To: reasonisfaith

“These silly AI products are nothing but annoying machines.”

The people that have them don’t think so.

The people that don’t have them cannot be annoyed by them.

What annoys you?


104 posted on 12/28/2021 3:55:42 PM PST by TexasGator (UF)
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To: dfwgator

Big Brother loves you.😳


105 posted on 12/28/2021 3:58:19 PM PST by BiteYourSelf ( Earth first we'll strip mine the other planets later.)
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To: GingisK

Never had any “smart crap” in my condo — no Nest, no Alexa, no Ring, just my HP box running Win-7 Pro x64. No mic or camera.


106 posted on 12/28/2021 3:59:34 PM PST by Carriage Hill (A society grows great when old men plant trees, in whose shade they know they will never sit.)
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To: dfwgator
""I've fallen and I can't get it up!""
107 posted on 12/28/2021 3:59:48 PM PST by Bikkuri (I am proud to be a PureBlood.)
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To: Bikkuri

😂


108 posted on 12/28/2021 4:01:09 PM PST by BiteYourSelf ( Earth first we'll strip mine the other planets later.)
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To: carriage_hill

Same as me. I simply do not understand some people’s insatiable need for the “next cool thing”, particularly when they come with compromise in privacy or security.


109 posted on 12/28/2021 4:05:40 PM PST by GingisK
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To: yesthatjallen

Did she ask for a challenge or specify a Tik-Tok challenge?

We have Alexa & 2 Dots in the house. Kind of creepy at first, but the kids/grandkids love it and use it all the time. I figure anyone with a cell phone is being listened to/clouded anyway.

We use the Dot in our area of the house to control lights, set timers & reminders and keep track of stuff we need to get at various stores. Plan to get a thermostat that we can control with it at some point (our house gets cold/hot at times for no discernible reason, even when we set the thermostat timers)

Just another gadget that can be handy, but not essential.


110 posted on 12/28/2021 4:09:18 PM PST by twyn1
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To: TexasGator

You have never had your wife make an emergency request for an ingredient required to complete the meal she is cooking?

You never had your spouse request you stop off at a store on your way home?

Several times and every time she called me my cell phone rings on the counter or in the bedroom. I don’t take it with me unless we go on a trip for a few days. I’m not dependent upon a cell phone.

There is no situation or emergency that would require me to stop at a store to bring something home based on a meal or anything else for that matter.

By the way, I forgot to mention there is a search on my TV for a show.


111 posted on 12/28/2021 4:09:23 PM PST by maddog55 (The only thing systemic in America is the left's hatred of it!)
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To: Osage Orange

Charlie Callas probably wouldn’t be too easily recognized.


112 posted on 12/28/2021 4:18:16 PM PST by wally_bert (I cannot be sure for certain, but in my personal opinion I am certain that I am not sure.)
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To: maddog55

Just remember to slip the phone in your ex’s bag before you do any crime ;^)


113 posted on 12/28/2021 4:42:40 PM PST by Bikkuri (I am proud to be a PureBlood.)
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To: GingisK

He has already proven himself unstable for the last 8 years...


114 posted on 12/28/2021 4:46:09 PM PST by Bikkuri (I am proud to be a PureBlood.)
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To: null and void

lol!


115 posted on 12/28/2021 4:46:52 PM PST by Bikkuri (I am proud to be a PureBlood.)
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To: Osage Orange
"Not surprised..."


I was thinking it, but wasn't going to say anything (for obvious reasons).
116 posted on 12/28/2021 4:48:10 PM PST by Bikkuri (I am proud to be a PureBlood.)
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To: dfwgator

In America television programs you!


117 posted on 12/28/2021 4:49:14 PM PST by cgbg (A kleptocracy--if they can keep it. Think of it as the Cantillon Effect in action.)
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To: yesthatjallen

Any parent exposing their 10 year old kid to an Alexa needs to have CPS called.


118 posted on 12/28/2021 5:10:10 PM PST by BobL (I shop at Walmart and eat at McDonald's, I just don't tell anyone, like most here.)
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To: maddog55

“By the way, I forgot to mention there is a search on my TV for a show.”

Right. Love that virtual keyboard needing multiple clicks to get to each letter.

But that still doesn’t play the music of choice.


119 posted on 12/28/2021 5:10:22 PM PST by TexasGator (UF)
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To: maddog55

“Several times and every time she called me my cell phone rings on the counter or in the bedroom. I don’t take it with me unless we go on a trip for a few days. I’m not dependent upon a cell phone.

There is no situation or emergency that would require me to stop at a store to bring something home based on a meal or anything else for that matter.”

You never go out without your wife?


120 posted on 12/28/2021 5:12:04 PM PST by TexasGator (UF)
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