Alexa is at it again - tells kid to touch live current (1 Viewer)

[Linda]

I have an Alexa Dot so I can talk to a friend who is disabled. When not in use, it sits in a drawer because I don't trust it. I know many people who have one and some who got one for their children. Like most tech stuff, I see some value - and - like most tech stuff, I see the pitfalls. This story is a whopper.

There is a Tik-Tok thing going around about a penny challenge - so something with a penny. A little girl asked Alexa for a challenge and this is what she got. Fortunately, her mom was there to intervene.

The Echo smart speaker Alexa responded to the 10-year-old child with a "challenge to do" that said, "plug in a phone charger about halfway into a wall outlet, then touch a penny to the exposed prongs." ​

Of course this was an anomaly and the algorithms have been adjusted - so no worries - sure....

On Wednesday, an Amazon spokesperson told CNBC that an error within Alexa has been fixed. ​

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The dangerous activity, known as "the penny challenge," began on TikTok and other social media platforms about a year ago. The outcome of the challenge could be potentially life-threatening. ​

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Twitter users who responded to Livdahl's tweet were shocked about Alexa's recommendation. ​

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One person said, "There is literally no reason to have an "Alexa" in your house. This should tell you that if it wasn't already obvious."​

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"Clearly AMZN's algorithm realized that by suggesting this challenge customers will later have to buy a lot of stuff to replace everything after the house burned down," another person said.​

First AI Murder Attempt? Alexa Tells Child To Touch Live Outlet With Penny | ZeroHedge

ZeroHedge - On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero

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[Snowmelt]

That sounds like the deep darkness of somebody's fantasy. I'm sorry, but robots can be programmed.

 

[Linda]

I was opposed from the beginning just on the privacy and info collection basis, but this is evil.

 

[Snowmelt]

Blame and guilt - two emotions on the human emotional quotient register - but an Alexa does not feel blame or guilt.

 

[Linda]

Neither does she feel joy or kindness - like being pleased the child is safe.
In other words, wake up people - you've entrusted some of your parenting to this box of who knows what.