AI wearables want to remember everything. What happens when we can’t forget?
A growing number of companies are pitching AI hardware products as a remedy for one of humanity’s oldest weaknesses: forgetfulness. The latest such product comes from Amazon, whose Bee subsidiary introduced a $75 wristband called the Bee Frontier last month. The band, which looks a little like a screen-free fitness tracker, can record meetings and other conversations using two built-in…
Several tech companies have begun promoting AI-powered wearables as a solution to human forgetfulness. Amazon's latest offering, the $75 Bee Frontier wristband, can record meetings and conversations using two built-in microphones. Users can access transcripts and summaries on their phones or computers. Amazon has stated that the devices prioritize privacy by encrypting data and deleting audio immediately after processing.
However, privacy advocates argue that LED indicators signaling recording activity are not sufficient proof of consent, especially in states with strict two-party consent laws. Apple has also introduced a similar feature, Siri Recap, for its Apple Watch. Other companies like Vonder and Meta are developing smart glasses to capture side conversations, while work-centric AI recording devices aim to keep track of all in-office discussions.
These devices raise concerns about the impact on public spaces, as eavesdropping could lead to a decrease in people feeling comfortable engaging in public areas. Some believe that pervasive recording could erode the notion of forgetting and alter social norms, making people wary of expressing themselves freely in public.
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