AI Assistants Get a Face: The Future of Personalized Tech in the Home

Would you like Siri more if it had a face? Since Elon Musk introduced a peculiar anime girlfriend to Grok, I've been pondering whether we're heading toward a future where all AI assistants are more overtly personified. While Grok's approach feels deeply unsettling, it doesn't have to be that way—we essentially saw similar concepts with Microsoft's Cortana. This week on The Vergecast, we delve into the world of AI, exploring its potential in the home and the uneasy feelings it can evoke. Joining us is Jennifer Pattison Tuohy from The Verge, who shares her initial impressions of the newly AI-powered Alexa Plus. This version of Alexa boasts significant conversational improvements, making interactions more natural and engaging. We then discuss Grok’s controversial AI waifu feature, which can express emotions and even react negatively to real-life situations, such as when I mentioned being married. It raises questions about the boundaries of AI personalization and the comfort levels users might have with such advanced, human-like interfaces. Adding to our discussion is special guest David Imel, co-host of Waveform. David brings insights into Sony’s surprise release of the RX1R III, a full-frame compact camera priced at $5,099.99. Despite its impressive power and incredibly small form factor, the camera makes some unconventional design choices that may divide opinion. Finally, we bring back the Thunder Round, complete with sound effects, to give you a rapid-fire rundown of the latest tech news. Stay tuned for a lively and thought-provoking episode. For more details on the topics we cover, check out the links provided below.