Beyond the Grave
Listen Now: Beyond the Grave
Missing a loved one, buy an Alexa. I’m Brian Banmiller on Business.
According to Amazon, its Alexa device could soon replicate the voice of family members, even if they’re dead. The technology is currently in development and will allow Alexa to mimic the voice of a specific person based on less than a minute of recording that you provide. The head scientist for Alexa says the idea behind this technology is to build greater trust in the interactions users have with Alexa by bringing in more human attributes. He said this idea became even more important during the pandemic when we lost so many people. He says while artificial intelligence can’t remove the pain it can make their memory last. In a demonstration a young child asks “Alexa, can grandma finish reading me the Wizard of Oz?” That’s when Alexa acknowledges the request and switches her voice over. So far, the company has not disclosed a lot of information about how the tech works. Critics say it is sure to raise a lot of privacy concerns and ethical questions about consent. Supporters see it as another step forward. Brian Banmiller, CBS News.
About Brian
CBS News Radio national business journalist Brian Banmiller has spent more than 40 years in the news industry, covering business, politics and the economy on television, radio and in print. Currently, his “Banmiller on Business” reports are delivered to an audience of millions nationwide.
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Brian's diverse experience and unique perspectives combine with his pleasant and personal manner to engage audiences on many levels. From his days as an Air Force squadron commander to his long career as a business journalist, commentator and public speaker, Brian's approach to speaking and presentation is thought-provoking, inspirational and creative.
"The Technology Tornado: Media & Communications in the Modern Era"
See highlights from Brian's recent Ernst & Young "Continuing Education Conference" speech and hear directly from conference attendees.
Phoenix Convention Center
August 28th, 2019
Additional speech samples / videos are available upon request. Contact Brian to learn more.
