Social Acceptability and Respectful Smart Assistants

Abstract

Underneath the friendly facade, do you feel like there is something sinister going on with Siri? This paper highlights some of the problems with modern smart assistants, particularly in the way that they construct a relationship with their users which is manifestly different to the technical and legal realities. The notion of respect is offered as a means of conceptualising the types of interactions we might want with such devices in the future and identifying flaws in the current iteration of smart assistants.