AI vs. Emotion: The Battle Rages On
Emotion might be a crucial part of our everyday lives, but when it comes to AI, it’s a messy business. Researchers have been grappling with the challenge of defining and measuring emotions for the construction of emotion detecting AI systems and the datasets that underlie them. But can we really trust these systems that are designed to detect our feelings?
The limitations and harms associated with these systems are clear. They are unreliable, not very accurate, and can be used as a form of affective surveillance. Call center operators, for example, are evaluated based on whether they sound pleasant enough, which could impact their compensation. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the potential misuse of these systems.
Despite their flaws, AI speech emotion recognition is being implemented in call centers, and it’s even being proposed for use in high-stakes contexts such as finance, recruiting, and the medical field. Microsoft has committed to removing facial emotion recognition features from its technologies due to a lack of scientific consensus on the reliability and accuracy of AI-assisted emotion recognition- and that’s just the beginning.
When it comes to incorporating emotion recognition into consumer products, it’s a slippery slope. While it might be a fun feature for low-stakes applications, it should not be used for life-altering decisions or as a form of surveillance. Emotion recognition AI is a contentious topic and needs to be carefully considered before being introduced into consumer products.
Moxie, a toy robot that uses AI emotion recognition to interact with children, raises concerns about the potential misuse of this technology. While it was initially developed to support children diagnosed with behavioral disorders, it is now being marketed as a general learning companion, expanding the reach of emotion recognition technology. The potential for abuse and exploitation of this technology further underscores the need for careful consideration and regulation.
So, what are your thoughts on the use of emotion recognition AI in consumer products, and should it be used in toys that interact with children? Let us know in the comments!
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