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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

“and they know I would do anything for them anytime”

Except being courteous to them?


141 posted on 12/28/2021 7:25:37 PM PST by TexasGator (UF)
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To: maddog55

” 9 out of 10 times we go together so I don’t need a cell phone.”

I can lose my wife even in Costco! I can call or text “Where are you?”

At outdoor discount malls I can track her a meet her where needed

IF I drop her off she can let me know when she is checking out and she can also locate me when either parked or possible in a nearby store

Often< while shopping and come across a possible item I can go online for reviews and price checks


142 posted on 12/28/2021 7:42:24 PM PST by TexasGator (UF)
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To: maddog55

“9 out of 10 times we go together so I don’t need a cell phone.”

Last week I had the battery in my 2019 car failed. I pulled out my phone, opened my insurance app and clicked on road service. Help was on the way. Then called wife and said I would be late for lunch.

Cellphones are so helpful I don’t understand bias against them.


143 posted on 12/28/2021 7:52:23 PM PST by TexasGator (UF)
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To: TexasGator

For the vast majority of technological products, I can’t think of a quality or attribute that doesn’t annoy me.

But if you want to know the most annoying thing about AI, it’s the incompetence.


144 posted on 12/28/2021 7:56:23 PM PST by reasonisfaith (What are the implications if the Resurrection of Christ is a true event in history?)
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To: reasonisfaith

“For the vast majority of technological products, I can’t think of a quality or attribute that doesn’t annoy me.”

The cellphone has the attribute of being able to make calls. How does that attribute annoy you?


145 posted on 12/28/2021 7:59:22 PM PST by TexasGator (UF)
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To: TexasGator

Have I stated that it annoys me?


146 posted on 12/28/2021 8:01:08 PM PST by reasonisfaith (What are the implications if the Resurrection of Christ is a true event in history?)
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To: reasonisfaith

“Have I stated that it annoys me?”

No. You stated for the vast majority of technological products.

But since my guess was incorrect, maybe you can be more specific?


147 posted on 12/28/2021 8:15:24 PM PST by TexasGator (UF)
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To: reasonisfaith

“These silly AI products are nothing but annoying machines”

They are mostly NOT AI. They are programmed to do a requested task.

I guess some AI may be involve in internet searches but that also happens on a computer.

If you make a request it performs the task.

If you ask a question it will do its best to answer.

If you ignore it, it ignores you.

Now what do you find annoying?


148 posted on 12/28/2021 8:22:36 PM PST by TexasGator (UF)
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To: TexasGator

I find their existence annoying.


149 posted on 12/28/2021 8:56:06 PM PST by reasonisfaith (What are the implications if the Resurrection of Christ is a true event in history?)
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To: TexasGator

Being able to make calls is one of the few things that I don’t find extremely annoying.


150 posted on 12/28/2021 9:03:43 PM PST by reasonisfaith (What are the implications if the Resurrection of Christ is a true event in history?)
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To: GingisK

In order for your phone to be inaccessible you need to remove the battery. As for your tv, if it is a “smart” TV ie connected to the Internet, it can also listen in.


151 posted on 12/29/2021 3:57:33 AM PST by billyboy15
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To: TexasGator

Cell phones can be helpful.. agree. Bought my first cell when I was riding across country on my Harley but I don’t need it by my side 24/7.

What I’m against is the obsession with them. I did fine for 40+ years without one.

You go in a restaurant and people have their heads buried in their cell phones. They talk non-stop on the damn things and usually very loud. They text in cars, walking down a sidewalk, in stores etc. With their bluetooth ear buds in you can’t tell if they’re talking to you, someone else or they’re just nuts and should be avoided.

I quit going to the movies years ago because of the damn things.. Inconsiderate assholes that need to answer a phone or text during a movie.

The younger generation can’t converse one on one anymore all they can do is text and they are beyond obsessed.

There’s all kinds of technology that I find totally useless, like self parking and self driving cars. If you’re that inept then you shouldn’t be in a car to begin with. Does some of it have use in cities for deliveries etc.. possibly but that ends up being someones job and who’s responsible when they screw up and hurt someone.


152 posted on 12/29/2021 6:49:24 AM PST by maddog55 (The only thing systemic in America is the left's hatred of it!)
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To: billyboy15
A TV without a microphone cannot listen in.

You can also put your radio devices in a metal box that electrically seals. (Ammo box)

153 posted on 12/29/2021 7:24:50 AM PST by GingisK
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To: GingisK

I guess all smart tv are not alike but I have a Samsung with a remote which allows me to “talk” to the TV and find shows, movies etc.


154 posted on 12/29/2021 8:07:15 AM PST by billyboy15
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To: maddog55

“like self parking and self driving cars. “

Yep! Automatic transmissions, power steering, power brakes and cruise control.

Plus those electric mirrors, electric seats, electric windows.

It all stArted when with the electric starter motor.

If you are too inept to turn the crank you should not be driving the car!


155 posted on 12/29/2021 3:19:15 PM PST by TexasGator (UF)
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To: maddog55
"There’s all kinds of technology that I find totally useless, like self parking and self driving cars."

This guy wishes he had a self-parking car!


156 posted on 12/29/2021 3:22:26 PM PST by TexasGator (UF)
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To: TexasGator

You’ve proven to be a useless dick so I’ll just keep replying till you top.


157 posted on 12/29/2021 3:38:59 PM PST by maddog55 (The only thing systemic in America is the left's hatred of it!)
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To: maddog55

Posted on 1/24/2021, 2:31:27 PM by Jim Robinson

Reminder: No profanity, no personal attacks, no violence.

You agreed to this when you signed up for posting privileges.


158 posted on 12/29/2021 7:48:40 PM PST by TexasGator (UF)
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To: GingisK

I used to like asking Alexa who the president is just to here it say “The president of the United States is Donald J Trump” in an angry tone. Haven’t asked that question in a while, though.


159 posted on 12/29/2021 11:13:33 PM PST by JoeRed
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To: TexasGator

Yep.. dick as I said.


160 posted on 12/30/2021 3:41:22 AM PST by maddog55 (The only thing systemic in America is the left's hatred of it!)
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