As the information technology market tightens, conglomerates such as Apple, Google and Amazon strive to attain the best artificial intelligence (AI) devices. In an attempt to stand out, Amazon’s Alexa will be able to relay consumers’ personal health information, track their prescriptions and stay atop daily healthcare routines. It’s a bold move that must be implemented seamlessly, otherwise consumers will be left wondering: Where should we draw the line with privacy?
The information technology (IT) revolution is still unfolding, and with it numerous privacy concerns have risen. Through digitalization, it can be argued that the bulk of society has a virtual profile that conglomerates have already used and/or sold to better understand their target markets. It’s no surprise that privacy is in short supply; it has been for the past couple of decades. Yet, is medical information too far?
It’s important to understand why this is tedious terrain. Patients’ healthcare information is highly confidential, and that’s why there are acts such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which protects patients’ information from being accessed and tampered with by others. Understandably, privacy is a major concern. Previously, Alexa made headlines when the device recorded a private conversation and mistakenly sent it to someone on the owner’s contact list. That cannot happen with medical information or else Amazon’s brand credibility will be hindered and Alexa will most likely plummet in sales.
Additionally, Alexa strives to be implemented into hospitals. Numerous facilities have tested it, enabling users to schedule appointments and search for wait times. Hospitals can use this new feature to report whether or not patients are experiencing pain or diminished appetite after their surgery as well. It will also be able to require that the user confirms their identity and as a precautionary measure, Alexa will state: “May be available to anyone using your Alexa devices.” That’s not very reassuring.
Five companies are using these new Alexa features for their consumers through federal protocol. In this context, Alexa will track when drugs are shipped, read blood sugar results, check health insurance benefits and schedule appointments. Clearly healthcare companies are ready to make the change, but consumers aren’t as eager to do so.
It’s important to acknowledge that most of our “profiles” are an open book to companies anyway. What really matters is how Amazon decides to deploy and market Alexa. Rather than rushing out to beat the Google Home, the HomePod or whatever it may be, this is an instance where quality definitely outweighs quantity. Through previous scares with these assistants, people are already wary of such devices, and tossing in a hiccup with someone’s medical records isn’t something that can be brushed over.
At its core, these smart devices are pretty darn smart. It touches upon convenience and simplicity; it’s all about making tasks easier for the owner. Alexa has good intentions and lots of potential, and it can be challenging to consider a slower and more methodical approach towards the IT industry, yet if Amazon doesn’t slow down to ensure the implementation of medical assistance is done perfectly, it will facilitate a major setback in the development of smart devices.
