I'm very pleased with my session today with GroovyTek. My trainer was able to fix both my computer and my printer (problems with both) and instructed me on how to correct the issues if they occurred in the future. We also made plans for my next session. I find GroovyTek sessions extremely helpful and convenient since they are in my home.
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Artificial Intelligence Assistants
Sunday, June 16, 2019
Have you heard the nightmare stories about the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assistants? The one where the little girl uses Alexa to order boxes and boxes of Barbies? Luckily, AI Assistants are getting smarter, and parents can adjust parental controls to prevent kids from ordering toys or massive amounts of candy online. Here are the key things to know about AI Assistants.
What is an AI Assistant?
An AI assistant is a computer program that runs off your voice commands. For example, you can ask the Google Assistant to find a chocolate chip cookie recipe by saying, “OK Google, find me a chocolate chip cookie recipe.” You can ask your AI assistant to order you more paper towels, calculate the time it will take you to get to your grandkids’ house, play your favorite song, or tell you a joke.
What gadgets do you need to have an AI Assistant?
You will need something with a microphone so that it can hear your voice commands. Gadgets that have microphones are wide ranging from a cell phone, to a remote control device like your TV remote, to a special proprietary listening device, to a tablet. You need to have the computer program loaded somewhere – and have set up a login with the program.
After that, the sky’s the limit. Your Al assistant can run special electrical outlets, so you control your living room lamp in Phoenix while you’re traveling in Budapest. You can be visiting your grandkids in Rochester, New York, and answer your doorbell in Denver through a video chat.
AI Assistant Platforms
Siri runs on Apple HomePod, as well as being available on your iPhone, iPad, Apple watch, and MacBook laptops, certain cars, and Macintosh desktops.
Alexa runs on Amazon’s Echo Dot, Echo Show, Fire TV Stick, Amazon Fire Tablet, AmazonBasics Microwave, and on Ring doorbells.
Google Assistant requires a Google Home Hub, an Android cellphone, Android tablet, laptop, computer, TV, certain cars, or OS by Google smartwatch.
Cortana comes preloaded on your Microsoft Windows 10 operating system on your laptop. It will run on pretty much any tech, from your iPhone to your Android. Cortana’s special listening device is a Harman Kardon Invoke.
Which one do I choose?
It depends! You might even use multiple systems. Do you order a lot of things from Amazon? Then perhaps Alexa would be your best bet. Does your social life depend on your Google calendar and Gmail? Then perhaps Google Assistant makes the most sense. You may use multiple systems because you have an iPad or iPhone with Siri, yet you use Amazon for all of your ordering needs.
What are some interesting things I can do with an AI Assistant?
Apple’s Siri can entertain your grandkids for a good 5 minutes by telling stupid jokes. Ask Siri, “Hey Siri, tell me a joke.” Young kids will be ROFL (rolling on the floor laughing).
Alexa can read aloud to you from a Kindle book that you’ve purchased: “Alexa, read me the Kindle book Beneath a Scarlet Sky: A Novel by Mark Sullivan.” Alexa reads every line, including the title page, so be sure to have the Amazon commands to skip ahead in the text.
Google Assistant can translate words in other languages. (All of the AI Assistants can.) Use “OK Google, how do you say ‘Cauliflower’ in Korean?”
What are the risks of using an AI Assistant?
Aside from the horror stories of children ordering toys or candy using Amazon’s Alexa, there have been other stories that have hit the news. In one case, a glitch in Alexa recorded the conversations of a couple and then emailed the conversations to an employee of the couple. An Amazon spokesperson explained it this way:
“Echo woke up due to a word in background conversation sounding like “Alexa.” Then, the subsequent conversation was heard as a “send message” request. At which point, Alexa said out loud “To whom?” At which point, the background conversation was interpreted as a name in the customer’s contact list. Alexa then asked out loud, “[contact name], right?” Alexa then interpreted background conversation as “right”. As unlikely as this string of events is, we are evaluating options to make this case even less likely.”
Recent news coverage has highlighted the information that Amazon and Google collect from their AI devices. In theory, if you have a light switch connected to your AI device, the services could extrapolate when you go to bed every night based on the time you turn off the lights in the living room. This is just one of the many trade-offs we may be making of our personal information for convenience.
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Michael M Colorado Springs, Co
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Barb S Colorado Springs, CO
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Outstanding trianers with expertise and a lot of patience at a fair price. I have used them for two years and they have given me a much better understanding of the in's and outs of how to use many aspects of my computer. It is a pleasure to have them come to my home and work on my own computer problems.
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The trainers are so friendly, and helpful. They certainly have lots of patience and knowledge. They make you feel so comfortable asking questions you would not dare ask your family to show you again how to do. They are always welcome in my home, sometimes I hate to see them go!
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It is comforting to know if you have technical problems there is a Hands On source to get help. These trainers listen to your problems, find solutions and work with you until you understand the solution, their patience is outstanding. This is a great way to not only solve problems but to learn about the ever-changing world of technology; there are class presentations, small group gatherings or one-on-one in your home with kind , friendly, people.
Ingrid S Centennial, CO
We have had several help sessions with a GroovyTek trainer. WE could not be more pleased. My trainer takes all our questions and while answering types up his answers so even after he leaves, we can refer to his notes. I would recommend GroovyTek to any of my friends or family without hesitation. BTW, ALL the employees at this firm are extrememly knowledgeable and friendly.
Tom D Centennial, Co
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Jean G Superior, CO
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Cheryl M Littleton, CO
I have always had the best computers that Apple offered, but the problem was that I never knew how to use them. Thanks to my GroovyTek trainer, my tech skills have increased exponentially and I am feeling more competent and confident with each lesson.
John B Boulder, CO
Excellent help from our GroovyTek trainer. He spent an hour explaining issues that I was confronted with, on my computer, and corrected all my issues and problems. He was concise, knowledgeable and forthright and I will call on him and GroovyTek again whenever I need help and support. I highly recommend GroovyTek services!