The next big cash opportunity in the world of robots and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be the range of home technology devices that will be heading our way – in time for the big Christmas spending spree. Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg’s personal goal for 2016 is to build an AI robot butler for his house and later this month will see the UK launch of Amazon Echo, a piece of Artificial Intelligence (called Alexa) designed to help us in our homes. Amazon’s advert makes compelling viewing, h
er voice-activated speaker will perform simple tasks such as play music, activate switches etc, but the game-changer is that she will allow you to access everything on the internet and can control your personal organisation tools.

So could Alexa pre-order my Ocado shop related to my Outlook calendar then? Love the idea of that; anything to help free up more time for fun within the robotic Eat, Sleep, Work, Repeat routine of modern working family life. The advert itself has a warm, safe feel to it and shows how she can “really become part of the family”.

Who knew this movie would end up being prescient?…

So as Alexa enters the family nest, is she a dove or a cuckoo? If you re-imagine the advert with the Jaws theme tune as the soundtrack, her presence and intelligence feels a little bit more ominous. As I further connect my life to free up more home time, what happens when Alexa is linked to my bathroom scales…could she override my choices in the Bakery and Alcohol aisles? ‘Alexa, define Free Will for me please..’

I have begun sharing my message on my idea of Silicon Symbiosis: how can we actually create a good relationship with our technology that serves our needs as humans (not buy more tech to then slavishly spend more time on tech). It is tricky to switch off from work now we have smartphones, making us tired, grumpy, unimaginative i.e. turning us humans into the robots. Whether at work, school or at home, I believe humans are at their best when they are freed up to more of the things that no computer will ever be able to do.

I call these The 4Cs. Humans are at their best when we have the time to Care for each other, Collaborate with each other, be Curious about our world, and to be Creative. If I buy Amazon Echo I want to commit to spend the time saved doing the 4Cs i.e. give my child a hug, chat with a friend, learn something new, or build a Lego set. NOT. MORE. WORK!

The way for our home, schools and workplaces to thrive amidst the tech revolution is to ensure we use the efficiencies our technology gives us to free us up to be more Caring, Collaborative, Curious and Creative. As a Headteacher said to me ‘the best lessons can’t be Googled’. Alexa may be able to give you an answer to your every question, but no-one can give a genuine and supportive smile quite like you.

The robots are coming… look busy! (or buy Amazon Echo and get Alexa to do it so you can have Date Night back again)

Laura x