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I think it's unethical for a robocaller to incorporate things like "ums" and "ahs" intentionally to deceive people into thinking they're talking to a human. At

by bo1024 8y ago

I think it's unethical for a robocaller to incorporate things like "ums" and "ahs" intentionally to deceive people into thinking they're talking to a human. At least, it's disrespectful.

amasad 8y ago
I agree with that. I think it's time for us, the tech industry, to start thinking about the ethical implications of the things we build before we release them. To make this salient for people: imagine this technology being deployed for political robocalls. An attractive voice masquerading as a person persuading people to vote for someone.
- icebraining 8y ago
  To make this salient for people: imagine this technology being deployed for political robocalls. An attractive voice masquerading as a person persuading people to vote for someone. They already hire telemarketing centers to do political calls; is this really so different?
  - bo1024 8y ago
    I think robots masquerading as humans is unethical (or at least rude/disrespectful) in that context as well.
icebraining 8y ago
I disagree; ums and ahs are just part of the protocol of voice communication, hence robots should use them. I think it should just introduce itself as a robot.
- bo1024 8y ago
  I think we are in agreement -- I didn't say I thought ums and ahs are unethical on their own, just as part of deceiving someone into thinking they are talking to a human.
wilsonnb 8y ago
I don't see any disrespect in lying about who you are in anonymous interactions. I'm under no obligation to be truthful. It doesn't matter to the restaurant if I book my reservation under a fake name. It doesn't matter if my assistant books it for me and they act like they're me. Software should be held to the same standard.
- bo1024 8y ago
  I agree about everything you wrote about anonymity. What bothers me is tricking someone into thinking they're having a human interaction with another person -- that the things they say will be heard and matter to somebody.

by bo1024 8y ago

I think it's unethical for a robocaller to incorporate things like "ums" and "ahs" intentionally to deceive people into thinking they're talking to a human. At least, it's disrespectful.

amasad 8y ago

I agree with that. I think it's time for us, the tech industry, to start thinking about the ethical implications of the things we build before we release them. To make this salient for people: imagine this technology being deployed for political robocalls. An attractive voice masquerading as a person persuading people to vote for someone.

icebraining 8y ago
To make this salient for people: imagine this technology being deployed for political robocalls. An attractive voice masquerading as a person persuading people to vote for someone. They already hire telemarketing centers to do political calls; is this really so different?
- bo1024 8y ago
  I think robots masquerading as humans is unethical (or at least rude/disrespectful) in that context as well.

icebraining 8y ago

I disagree; ums and ahs are just part of the protocol of voice communication, hence robots should use them. I think it should just introduce itself as a robot.

bo1024 8y ago
I think we are in agreement -- I didn't say I thought ums and ahs are unethical on their own, just as part of deceiving someone into thinking they are talking to a human.

wilsonnb 8y ago

I don't see any disrespect in lying about who you are in anonymous interactions. I'm under no obligation to be truthful. It doesn't matter to the restaurant if I book my reservation under a fake name. It doesn't matter if my assistant books it for me and they act like they're me. Software should be held to the same standard.

bo1024 8y ago
I agree about everything you wrote about anonymity. What bothers me is tricking someone into thinking they're having a human interaction with another person -- that the things they say will be heard and matter to somebody.