What is an Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) stems from computer science, with a focus on designing and creating machines that exhibit human intelligence and mimic cognitive functions [1]. Moreover, AI integrated machines demonstrate cognitive functions such as speech recognition, learning, reasoning, predicting, planning, and problem solving.
Companies in the technology sector have been producing products with AI-integrated systems to make quick searches faster, note taking easier, and creating reminders in an instant. Thus prompting portable devices to be your own personal digital assistant.
"Are AI-integrated devices really worth the price?"
Students on a budget can find it debatable whether or not investing in an AI-integrated device is worth the purchase. Like any other investment, one should always consider the pros and cons of purchasing one.
Cons to having an AI-integrated electronic device
Unfortunately, with any system and application software, bugs and glitches are inevitable and can be a problem that requires further update installations. Since Artificial Intelligence is a means to mimic and exhibit human intelligence, the way the software operates is not perfect, for they are a work in progress.
In addition, developers create AI devices to be alike in functionality — serving as a purpose to help people with everyday tasks. Therefore, it is difficult to recognize the differences between each AI software without going into the devices individual and other additional features.
A recognizable issue for current Artificial Intelligence like Siri, Cortana, Google Assistant and Alexa, is that they all require access to the internet, thus difficult for users to access an AI software without Wi-Fi or mobile Data connection.
With its purpose to be of help, it prompts us to be more inclined to rely on them, while making it difficult for us to learn to do things on our own. Eventually, the possibilities for AI can become endless and job opportunities will decline because of advance machines.
Pros to having an AI-integrated electronic device
Despite flaws within the system and the possibility of being too reliant on electronics, AIs still function as a great invention to help people with everyday tasks. AI-integrated devices have become an innovative solution to creating a more accessible world by helping to break learning barriers in many different ways.
For example, navigating through a phone or a computer can be a challenge for some students. However, with voice command, students can set deadlines and reminders, access various applications, and make quick searches on the internet without having to navigate through said device. In the same fashion as audiobooks, AI can read a text for students with visual impairment.
On the other hand, students who have difficulty with note taking or typing can benefit from the speech recognition function to transcribe speech to text. Finding files and applications can take a while if you have a disorganized desktop or laptop. However, with an AI-integrated operating system, students can voice command the AI to open files and applications in an instant.
Since the development of AI software, companies have been creating AI to be more accessible for everyone at a reasonable cost. Fortunately, most students already own an electronic device that has an AI installed.
Those with Apple products have Siri built in [2]. Those with Google products and Android phones have Google Assistant [3]. Meanwhile, Cortana is the most accessible personal digital assistant because if you own a desktop computer or laptop with windows 10 as the operating system, then you already have Cortana installed [4]. Students use these tech essentials everyday both at school and at home. But what makes it worth the price, for students, to invest in Alexa and Echo products?
Amazon Echo Products
The Amazon Echo is a series of hands-free speakers that you can control with your voice. In 2014, Amazon introduced the innovative gadget as the first-generation Amazon Echo, designated to have a sleek design in the shape of a tall cylinder speaker [5].
Between the first release and November of 2017, the Echo series and Alexa was only available in eight countries. As of December 2017, Alexa and the Echo series was finally available for purchase in Canada and 35 other countries worldwide.
But what makes the Echo series different from other sound systems? The Echo has an AI integrated system and seven built-in microphones, allowing voice recognition from any direction and receive excellent results and answers in an instant. Within the last three years, Amazon released second-generation Echo products that are now available in Canada: the Echo, the Echo Dot, and the Echo Plus, are all available for purchase on the Amazon website [5].
All-New Amazon Echo
Alexa Products and Compatible Applications
Similar to the way Siri, Cortana and Google Assistant operates on their devices; Alexa is the AI software on the Amazon Echo series, and other household devices and appliances. By using voice command, you can control Alexa-enabled devices and appliances from one location in your house.
Alexa-enabled devices [7]:
- Fire TV products
- Motorola, HTC and Huawei phones
- Logitech ZeroTouch Hands-free Car Mount
- Guess Smartwatch
- Garmin Speak Plus built-in Dash Cam
Alexa-enabled tools & appliances [8]:
- PHILIPS LED bulbs and light switches
- TP-Link smart plugs (Smart home power control sockets)
- Ecobee thermostats
- Security alarm systems
- Mirrors
Alexa's skills and application compatibility
Amazon developed over a thousand skills that have voice-driven capabilities, allowing you to enhance and personalize Alexa on all your devices.
For students who simply want to learn more or want to test their knowledge, Alexa can acquire skills that allow you to play trivia games.
For students who want to relax during their study breaks, they can enable Alexa to open applications that will help with meditation, breathing exercises or even just to play soothing music.
For students who like to listen to the news or even an audiobook, Alexa can read either one while you get ready in the morning.
With thousands of enabled skills, Amazon allows you to get your money's worth with the Echo series. Alexa enabled skills ranges from staying organized with to-do lists, to ordering an Uber car or takeout food for dinner. Learn more about Alexa skills, specifically for students, on the Amazon website [9].
Conclusion
Overall, Echo products are a good investment if you want a speaker that allows you to control just about everything in your home, and have easier navigation on automated devices. However, investing in an Echo product depends on your intentions and everyday usage. Those who wish to have an Echo product that will not make a dent in their pocket, but still have access to Alexa as their personal digital assistant, can purchase the Echo Dot. Whereas the Echo and Echo Plus is more useful for families and individuals who wish to create their living space a smart home.
In the case that you do own a device that already as an AI system, it would be ideal to consider the pros and cons before purchasing a new device, such as the Echo. AI-integrated devices are neat inventions that make accessibility on the Internet and electronic devices to be easier for all students.
References
[1] About Waterloo.ai. (2017, June 24) Retrieved January 19, 2018, from https://uwaterloo.ca/artificial-intelligence-institute/about
[2] IOS Siri. (n.d.) Retrieved January 19, 2018, from https://www.apple.com/ca/ios/siri/
[3] Google Assistant. (n.d.) Retrieved January 19, 2018, from https://assistant.google.com/intl/en_ca/
[4] Cortana. (n.d.) Retrieved January 19, 2018, from https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/windows/cortana
[5] Echo 2nd Generation. (n.d.) Retrieved January 19, 2018, from https://www.amazon.ca/Echo-2nd-Generation-Charcoal-Fabric/dp/B0749YXKZ1/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517337834&sr=8-1&keywords=amazon%2Becho&th=1
[6] All-New Amazon Echo. (2017, September 27) Retrieved February 12, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLPmPzpqJN4
[7] Alexa enabled devices (n.d.) Retrieved January 26, 2018, from
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=lp_15443147011_pg_2?srs=15443147011&rh=i%3Aspecialty-aps&page=2&ie=UTF8&qid=1517327332
[8] Smart Home. (n.d.) Retrieved January 26, 2018, from https://www.amazon.ca/smart-home/b/ref=nav_shopall_ods_ha_nav?ie=UTF8&node=16209183011
[9] Alexa Skills. (n.d.) Retrieved January 30, 2018, from https://www.amazon.ca/alexa-skills/b/ref=nav_shopall_kbo?ie=UTF8&node=16286269011
