Published By: TechCrunch/MSN, 4/29/2017
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Summary
Amazon is furthering the humanization of its virtual assistant Alexa by equipping it with more emotion functionality. Developers can use a markup language called Speech Synthesis Markup Language (SSML) that allows for the coding of Alexa’s intonation, emphasis, and region-specific responses. This opens up new possibilities for app companies and how their virtual assistants are used in the world.
Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level of Article: 9.5
Extended Discussion Questions
- What would you find beneficial about having a “virtual assistant” like Alexa?
- Could there be any downsides to having a virtual assistant?
- Could there be downsides to having your voice commands relayed to a cloud service for processing?
- Would having a virtual assistant make you lazy? Why or why not?
- How might sounding more human help virtual assistants to have more impact in the world? What new purposes could they be used for?
- What issues could arise with humanizing virtual assistants?
- Should virtual assistants be regulated so they cannot become too human-like? Why or why not?
Relating This Story to the CSP Curriculum Framework
Global Impact Learning Objectives:
- LO 7.1.1 Explain how computing innovations affect communication, interaction, and cognition.
- LO 7.3.1 Analyze the beneficial and harmful effects of computing.
Global Impact Essential Knowledge:
- EK 7.1.1J Sensor networks facilitate new ways of interacting with the environment and with physical systems.
- EK 7.3.1G Privacy and security concerns arise in the development and use of computational systems and artifacts.
- EK 7.3.1J Technology enables the collection, use, and exploitation of information about, by, and for individuals, groups, and institutions.
Banner Image: “Network Visualization – Violet – Offset Crop“, derivative work by ICSI. New license: CC BY-SA 4.0. Based on “Social Network Analysis Visualization” by Martin Grandjean. Original license: CC BY-SA 3.0.
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Tagged: 7.1.1 Interaction and cognition, 7.1.1J Sensors, 7.3.1 Benefits and harm, 7.3.1G Privacy, 7.3.1J Data collection