The new Apple Watch can listen in on your conversations and take notes. That makes me feel weird.

The Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 models introduce Audio Intelligence features that can transcribe conversations and summarize key points. While Apple claims no audio is recorded or stored, the convenience of these features comes with a sense of strangeness. Siri Recap listens to the last 15 seconds of a conversation and can generate a recap that can be accessed later, while Live Rewind captures the most recent 15 seconds for quick reference.

The new features are designed to help users remember important details from meetings or conversations, but the constant listening raises privacy concerns. Although Apple emphasizes that raw audio isn't accessible, the idea of wearing an always-on listening device feels unsettling, especially in everyday situations where people use their watches.

Despite the available privacy settings, the widespread use of Apple Watches in various social settings makes the concept of being an AI-powered eavesdropper feel increasingly possible.