Amazon unveil new wearable that raises privacy concern as it quietly listens to every conversation
Amazon has just unveiled a new AI-powered wearable that has the ability to turn conversations into useful notes, but this has started to raise privacy concerns.
The technology comes in the form of a Bee Frontier wristband which is designed to help its users remember important details from everyday interactions, as well as create summaries, to-do lists and reminders from chats it has overheard throughout the day.
A release from Amazon explains: “Have you ever discussed plans with a friend, only to immediately forget the date and time you decided on? It’s a relatable scenario - our days are full of information that matters, but holding onto all of it while staying present can feel impossible. Bee is a personal AI that was created to solve this problem. It takes note of the details you might otherwise forget and turns them into useful conversation summaries, to-dos, reminders, and insights.”
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The e-commerce giant goes on to say that the device is a ‘personal AI you can wear on your wrist or clip on to clothes’, with it having been developed to capture audio using microphones in order to pick up conversations and process the information through AI.
However, the new wearable has raised questions about what could happen when someone wearing it speaks to people who have no idea that their words could be processed by AI.
While the device has an indicator light to signal when audio capture is active, there is no guarantee that everyone nearby will notice it or know what the device is for.
Amazon has pointed out that the device includes privacy protections, with users able to control audio capture and delete their conversation data.
The firm has also shared that audio is processed in real time rather than stored as recordings. However, there is a distinction between deleting the original audio and retaining information extracted from the device, especially when it picks up conversations containing personal or sensitive details about other people.
This announcement appears to be part of Amazon’s wider ambitions to boost support for AI-powered shopping, with the tech offering potential for providing a link between information in conversations and personalized shopping recommendations.
Bee Frontier is the wristband which is available to buy now for $74.99 in three different colors - Onyx, Lavender, and Sage. Meanwhile, Bee Eclipse, which attaches to your phone, will be available to purchase soon and is set to start at $99.99 in colors Silver, Midnight, Honey, and Blush.