Always-listening AI gadgets are here, but should you trust them?

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Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Memory is a fickle thing. You often forget the names of the people you met, your daily tasks, and incidents from your life.

It is easy to believe that if you remembered all of these things, you would be more productive or have a better social life. A new hoard of AI-powered gadgets wants to tap into that belief and build you a ‘second mind’. These new wearables, whether in pendant or wristband form, promise that if you keep them around, allow them to listen to and transcribe all your conversations, they will form a long-term memory for you, which you can recall at any point in time.

These are personal AI companions: gadgets like the Bee Computer, Limitless Pendant, Friend pendant, Plaud AI Pin, Pocket and Omi, may vary in their form factors but perform more or less the same functions. They have mics that listen to you, transcribe your conversations, and provide entertainment such as telling jokes or insights like action items from a meeting. Some of them also allow you to ask questions in natural language, such as “When is my upcoming road trip planned for?" or “Who are the people I mentioned in my conversation last afternoon?" Also read: Raghavendra Rathore on fashion’s most compelling muse—AI Companies are looking at the combination of AI and hardware from different lenses, including productivity and companionship.