Enrichment Education

Siri, Alexa take a stand on Black Lives Matter movement

Siri, Apple's voice-activated digital assistant, tells iPhone user to ask her by showing the text "Go ahead, I'm listening" on the display

Story at a glance

  • “All Lives Matter” is a response to the Black Lives Matter movement that is used by those undermining the fight against racism and police brutality. 
  • Home technology assistants have been trained to distinguish between the two phrases.
  • While tech companies have responded to the protests over George Floyd’s death, critics say there is more to be done. 

We ask our home technology assistants questions about the weather and the news, but what about the human experience with racism? If you care to ask Apple’s Siri about the Black Lives Matter movement, she’s ready to respond. 

“Yes, Black lives matter,” she says, linking to the movement’s website. And if you ask her if “All Lives Matter,” she answers back, “‘All Lives Matter’ is often used in response to the phrase ‘Black Lives Matter,’ but it does not represent the same concerns.”


BREAKING NEWS ABOUT THE GEORGE FLOYD CASE

NEW VIDEO SHOWS DIFFERENT VIEW OF GEORGE FLOYD ARREST

STATE OF MINNESOTA FILES HUMAN RIGHTS COMPLAINT AGAINST MINNEAPOLIS POLICE

CELEBRITIES INCLUDING JOHN LEGEND AND THE WEEKND SIGN PETITION TO DEFUND THE POLICE

POLICE CHIEF CALLS FOR NATIONAL BAN ON CHOKEHOLDS AFTER GEORGE FLOYD KILLING 


The Google Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa also responded similarly when other users posed the question, “Do Black lives matter.” 

Amazon’s website now promotes a message that reads, “Black Lives Matter. Amazon stands in solidarity with the black community,” which CEO Jeff Bezos defended on his personal social media accounts. The company has donated $10 million to organizations supporting justice and equity, according to a release on June 3. 


America is changing FASTER THAN EVER. Add Changing America to your Facebook and Twitter feeds to stay engaged on the most important news and perspectives.


But a group of Amazon employees on Twitter questioned the company’s statement, which did not mention the issue of police brutality. 

Ring, Amazon’s “smart” doorbell program, has partnered with 400 police forces, according to a report by The Washington Post, which has raised concerns about privacy and surveillance. Users can report “suspicious” people through the app as well, which critics say can encourage racist stereotyping. 

While some are left wanting, George Floyd’s death and ensuing protests against police brutality have elicited stronger responses from tech giants than deaths of black people by police have in the past. Apple CEO Tim Cook published an open letter “speaking up on racism,” redoubling its efforts to address environmental injustice, access to technology and diversity in its workforce. The company is also donating to organizations “which challenge racial injustice and mass incarceration.” Google and its parent company, Alphabet, have announced $14.5 million in donations supporting efforts to address racial injustice, inequity and violence.  


READ MORE ABOUT THE GEORGE FLOYD PROTESTS

INDIANA JOURNALIST LOSES EYE TO TEAR GAS CANISTER DURING PROTESTS

FLORIDA OFFICER PUT ON LEAVE AFTER KNEELING ON BLACK MAN’S NECK DURING ARREST

YOU MAY THINK YOU’RE NOT A RACIST. BUT THAT’S NOT ENOUGH

MOST AMERICANS SUPPORT PROTESTORS OVER PRESIDENT TRUMP

BOOKS ON RACE AND DISCRIMINATION BECOME BESTSELLERS IN WAKE OF GEORGE FLOYD KILLING


 


Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.