Flash Briefing

摘要

How high is Mount Rainier? That question was one I remember from my reference class "scavenger hunt" assignments way back in my master's program at Indiana University. It was also one of the first questions I asked our new Amazon Echo during the holidays as I experimented with Alexa as a virtual assistant. Since then, I've added three more "Dots" to the house that now control multicolor light bulbs, electrical outlets, and other smart home functions. I was slow to jump on the Internet of Things bandwagon, but now I'm sold. The numbers say that I am not alone, with TechCrunch reporting Amazon sold millions of Alexa devices over the holidays. More than one trendsetting report has noted that virtual assistants and artificial intelligence may be the next big thing. Exhibits and product launches at the recent Consumer Electronics Show offered all sorts of assistant-enabled devices. What would H.G. Wells say? Are Alexa and Siri a voice activated path to the world brain?