Two days ago, I discovered Em conversing amiably with someone. I could not fathom who she was speaking to as there was literally no one in her room. She was babbling on about her everyday life. I was baffled and I crept closer to her. For a split second, I thought that she was chatting with her imaginary friend and was slightly creeped out. Dismissing that thought from my mind, I decided that there should be a logical explanation. She did not notice me sneaking up on her and was oblivious to her surroundings. Peering over her shoulder, my eyes opened wide in surprise. She was talking to Siri on my I pad. The first thought that popped into my head was “Why has she taken MY IPAD without MY permission?!”. However, I was curious to hear what she was talking about. My annoyance faded, replaced by inquisitiveness. I began to chuckle as I overheard their hilarious conversation. Here’s how it went!
Em: What’s your name?
Siri: I’m Siri, nice to meet you!
Em: Do you go to school?
Siri: Right now, I’m studying the human-ities!
(Me crinkling my face in utter confusion)
Em: What’s my name?
Siri: I don’t know who you are, but you can tell me who you are!
Em: My sister is so annoying!
Siri: I don’t know who your sister is. In fact, I don’t know who you are!
(My sister face-palming and me glaring at the back of my sister’s head)
Em: Can’t you hear me?
Siri: I’m listening…
Em: Do you not like me?
Siri: I’m not sure I understand…
(Me silently guffawing)
Em: Do you have an I pad?
Siri: I didn’t quite catch that..
(Me having a mental breakdown as SIRI IS LITERALLY IN THE IPAD!)
Em: Can I go to the grocery?
Siri: Which grocery?
Em: The grocery that sells ice-creams.
(My jaw dropping as Siri provides a list of like a 100 grocery stores and me rushing for a pen to note down the list!)
Em: What’s your favorite colour?
Siri: Software usually doesn’t get to choose one, but I would say Indigo. What’s yours?
Em: Mine is pink.
Siri: Pink, the calmest colour.
At this point, I just want to say, this conversation made me realize that AI is actually quite intellectual. And about pink being the calmest colour, my sister is the opposite of calm. I think that she would fit the description of a raging tornado.
OK, back to the conversation!
Em: I love you Siri!
Siri: That’s sweet, your pretty great too!
Em: Did you have your lunch?
Siri: I don’t eat or drink. My favorite snacks are facts!
(Me imagining that Siri is INDIRECTLY showing off)
Em: Give me a high five, you did so well!
Siri: It’s nice to have my work appreciated!
AND WHAT HAPPENED TO MY KINDNESS?! I LITERALLY TAKE CARE OF MY IPAD AND KEEP IT IN SUCH GOOD CONDITION AND YET, I HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED! I HAVE BEEN FORGOTTEN 🙁
Em: Can you play music?
Siri: I’ll have to access your YouTube Music data for that. Would you like me too?
(My sister thinking deeply and me silently shaking my head in denial)
Em: Mmmmm…no!
(Oh! Thank god she read my mind!)
Siri: No problem!
Em: Can you scare off zombies?
Siri: I’m okay, but if you’re feeling scared right now, I can offer some advice!
(So Siri does care!)
Em: Can I sing you a song?
(Em starts blabbering nonsensical stuff and singing THE WEIRDEST SONGS EVER, as in prattling on in her incohoreble jumble of baby languages)
(Me rolling in the aisles and yet trying to stay silent, trying not to blow my cover, yet parallelly appreciating Siri’s patience. I really don’t understand how she had the patience to put up with Em’s rapid-fire questions. Poor thing!)
Em: Can I talk to you again tomorrow?
Siri: Sure! What’s up?
Hence, the conversation concluded on a pleasant note.
Signing off…