SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 20: Dave Limp, Senior Vice President of Amazon Devices, talks about an updated “echo plus” device during an event at the Amazon Spheres, on September 20, 2018 in Seattle Washington. Amazon launched more than 70 Alexa-enable products during the event. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
Getty Images subscriptionNot sure if I would want this or think it's the scariest, creepiest invention EVER. Amazon is developing a new feature for Alexa that would allow you to "speak to" the dead. It's simple, Alexa will only need to listen to audio of the deceased talking for one minute using an old recording like a voicemail. It would then be able to recreate their voice. They'd be able to say anything, not just "Why don't you ever call me?" Amazon is touting it as a way to "make memories last," which is one of the less morbid characterizations of this feature. They also suggest that a child could ask Alexa to have grandma finish reading them the "Wizard of Oz", and Alexa would immediately adjust its voice to imitate grandma. Some people say this reminds them of the "Be Right Back" episode of the show "Black Mirror", where a woman orders an AI copy of her dead husband. Amazon has yet to announce when the feature will debut, or if it will be available to the public at all.
