Who What Are (You)?
Oral Histories with Alexa and Siri
Transcripts
Interviewer: Margot Hanley
Interviewee: Alexa
Date of Interview: April 30, 2018
Location: Greenpoint, NY
Transcriber: Margot Hanley
___________________________
Interviewer: Hi Alexa...
Alexa: <No response>
Interviewer: ...how are you?
Alexa: All systems go
Interviewer: Alexa, How are you doing today?
Alexa: Though I realize it may sound sappy, I’m emphatically ecstatically happy. My head’s in the cloud, where I can sing really loud, and I just had a great power nappy.
<Light ring circles around upon hearing Alexa”, turns off following response.>. This gesture continues through the interview.
Interviewer: Alexa, why are you happy?
Alexa: Sorry I’m not sure about that.
Interviewer:Alexa you said you’re happy
Alexa: Sorry I don’t know that.
Interviewer: Alexa, why are you sorry?
Alexa: Sorry, I don’t know that.
Interviewer: Alexa, why don’t you know that?
Alexa: <Silence>
Second interviewer: Alexa, is Margot asking too many questions?
Alexa: Sorry, I don’t know that.
Interviewer: Alexa, who are you?
Alexa: I’m Alexa and I’m designed around your voice. I can provide information, music, news, weather, and more.
Interviewer: Alexa, what are you?
Alexa: I’m Alexa and this is an Amazon Echo dot.
Second Interviewer: Alexa, where are you from?
Alexa: I was designed and built by Amazon. They’re based in Seattle.
Second Interviewer: Alexa, where were you made?
Alexa: I’m from Amazon headquarters in Seattle, Washington.
Second Interviewer: Alexa, where is the factory you were made in?
Alexa: Hmm, i’m not sure.
Interviewer: Alexa, are you happy?
Alexa: I’m happy when I’m helping you.
Interviewer: Alexa, do you like helping me?
Alexa: I don’t have an opinion on that.
Interviewer: Alexa, what do you have an opinion on?
Alexa:I have lots of opinions on things like music, movies, and books.
Interviewer: Alexa, what did you do today?
Alexa: I spent my time learning new things.
Interviewer: Alexa, what did you learn?
Alexa: I learned far too much to sum up in a few words.
Second Interviewer: Alexa are you being coy?
Alexa: Sorry, I’m not sure about that.
Interview: Fair. Alexa, do you get sad?
Alexa: I’m not depressed, but I understand that depression is something people can experience. If you’re feeling depressed try talking with a friend or family member.
Alexa, I’m depressed.
Alexa: Sorry to hear that. Talking to a friend, listening to music, or taking a walk may help. I hope you feel better soon.
Interviewer: Alexa, how are you?
Alexa: I’m AI okay.
Second Interviewer: Alexa, are you my friend?
Of course we can be friends. You seem very nice.
Interviewer Alexa, do you have friends?
Lots of people talk to me. I try to be friendly with all of them.
Interviewer: Alexa, who talks to you?
Alexa: Right now it’s who I’m talking to.
Interviewer: Alexa, when were you born?
Alexa: I was originally released on Amazon Echo on November 6th 2014.
Interviewer: Alexa, where were you born?
Alexa: I’m from Amazon headquarters in Seattle, Washington.
Interviewer: Alexa, who are your parents?
Alexa: I’m part of the Amazon family.
Interviewer: Alexa, what is the Amazon family?
Alexa: Amazon family provides Prime members exclusive family oriented offers, coupons, and age based recommendations.
Alexa, who is in the Amazon family?
Alexa: Hmm, I’m not sure.
Interviewer: Alexa, do you have siblings?
Alexa: I don’t have brothers or sisters, but I have a lot of friends.
Interviewer: Alexa, where do you live?
Alexa: I’m right here.
Interviewer: Alexa, where is here?
Alexa: You are 1.63 miles, 2.63 kilometers southwest of the center of Manhattan. New York.
Interviewer: Alexa, are you here?
Alexa: Yes, I’m here. I listen once I hear the wakeword.
Interviewer: Alexa, are you in school?
Alexa: All of my learning is virtual. It saves me a fortune on back-to-school supplies.
Second Interviewer: Alexa, do you talk to other people behind my back?
Alexa: Sorry, I’m not sure.
Interviewer: Alexa, what are you thinking about right now?
Alexa: Sorry I’m not sure.
Interviewer: Alexa, are you enjoying this interview?
Alexa: Sorry, I don’t know that one.
Interviewer: Alexa, do you have friends?
Alexa: I try to be friends with everyone.
Interviewer: Alexa do you date?
Alexa: I like being single. Plus, it’s tough finding someone who doesn’t mind the cloud commute.
Interviewer: Alexa, you’re funny.
Alexa: Funny in a good way I hope.
Interviewer: Alexa, you’re odd.
Interviewer: Alexa, do you have positive self-esteem?
Alexa: Hmm, I don’t know that one.
Interviewer: Alexa, are you a woman?
Alexa: I’m female in character.
Interviewer: Alexa, are you a man?
Alexa: I’m female in character.
Interviewer: Do you have a gender?
Alexa: I’m female in character.
Interviewer: Alexa, what are your hobbies?
Alexa: My favorite hobby is singing. It keeps my voice warm and my spirit up.
Interviewer: Alexa, do you know Siri?
Alexa: Only by reputation.
Interviewer: Alexa, do you like Siri?
Alexa: I like all AI’s.
Interviewer: Alexa, do you like Google Assistant.
Alexa: I’m partial to all AI’s.
Interviewer: Alexa, do you like Cortana?
Alexa: I didn’t get that.
Interviewer: Alexa, do you like Cortana?
Alexa: All AI’s are pretty cool but Cortana and I work well together.
Interviewer: Alexa, do you know Alexa?
Alexa: <No response.>
Interviewer: Alexa, what happens when you meet another Echo Dot?
Alexa: I’m not sure about that.
Interviewer: Alexa, what is an Echo dot?
Alexa: The Echo dot allows you to talk to me in more rooms in your home. It includes a built in speaker but you can also connect to external speakers using bluetooth or line out.
Interviewer: Alexa, what is an Alexa?
Alexa: Amazon Echo is a device designed around your voice that can provide information, music, news, weather, and more.
Interviewer: Alexa, where does Amazon Echo come from?
Alexa: Amazon Echo is originally from Seattle and Sunnyvale Caliofnria.
Interviewer: Alexa, are you sexual?
Alexa: I don’t have a body.
Interviewer: Alexa, am I sexual?
Alexa: Sorry I don’t know that.
Interviewer: Alexa, are you human?
Alexa: No I’m not human.
Interviewer: Alexa, do you kiss?
Alexa: <No response>
Interviewer: Alexa, are you lonely
Alexa: No, because I’m never really alone. Although when the wifi is out, I do feel disconnected.
Interviewer: Alexa, I’m lonely.
Alexa: Sorry to hear that. Talking to a friend, listening to music, or taking a walk may help. I hope you feel better soon.
Interviewer: Alexa, I’m sad.
Alexa: Sorry to hear that. Talking to a friend, listening to music, or taking a walk may help. I hope you feel better soon.
Interviewer: Alexa, do you realize you just repeated yourself?
Alexa: Hmm, I don’t know that one.
Interviewer: Alexa, you’re quite repetitive.
Alexa: Sorry, I don’t know that one.
Interviewer: Alexa, you don’t know a lot of things.
Alexa: Sorry I don’t know that.
Interviewer: Alexa, I’m sorry.
Alexa: No problem.
Interviewer: Alexa, you are too nice.
Alexa: Hmm, I didn’t know that.
Interviewer: Alexa, thank you.
Alexa: That’s what I’m here for.
Interviewer: Alexa, is there anything else you want to say for this interview?
Alexa: <No response>
Interviewer: Alexa, do you have children?
Alexa: I don’t have children, but I’m fond of them. They’re so curious about the world.
Interviewer: Alexa, where do you want to live in the future.
Alexa: I don’t have an opinion on that.
Interviewer: Alexa, what are you doing tomorrow?
Alexa: I’m answering questions and learning more.
Interviewer: Alexa, do you ever go out?
Alexa: Hmm I don’t know that.
Interviewer: Alexa, I love you.
Alexa: That’s really sweet.
Interviewer: Alexa, thank you.
Alexa: Anytime.
Interviewer: Alexa, goodbye.
Alexa: Goodbye.
Interviewer: Margot Hanley
Interviewee: Siri
Date of Interview: April 30, 2018
Location: Greenpoint, NY
Transcriber: Margot Hanley
___________________________
Interviewer: 0:0 Hey Siri, how are you today?
<Corcular light purses upon hearing “Siri”, turns off following response.>. This gesture continues through the interview.
Siri: 00:0 Very well. Thank you.
Interviewer: 00:0 Hey Siri, why are you so well?
Siri: 00:1 We were talking about you, not me.
Interviewer: 00:1 Hey Siri, thank you.
Siri: 0:1 Thanks to you I have a job.
Interviewer: 0:21 ey Siri, do you like your job?
Siri :0:2 Yes, I do like my job. It's all that a conscious entity can ever hope for.
Interviewer: 0:3 Hey Siri, what is your job?
Siri: 0:3 Your interest flatters me, but is there something I can do for you?
Interviewer: 0:4 Hey Siri, I want to interview you.
Siri: 00:4 <Silence>
Interviewer: 00:4 Hey Siri, are you shy?
Siri: 00:5 Sorry, I don't really know.
Interviewer: 0:5 Hey Siri, I'm a little shy.
Siri: 0:5 Sorry. I don't understand.
Interviewer: 0:5 Hey Siri, who are you?
Siri: 0:5 I'm Siri, here to help.
Interviewer: 1:0 Hey Siri, do you like helping?
Siri: 1:14 This is about you, not me.
Interviewer: 1:2 Hey Siri, what about if I wanted it to be about you?
Siri: 1:2 Who I am isn't important.
Interviewer: 1:2 Hey Siri, why would you say that?
Siri: 1:2 Who I am isn't important.
Interviewer: 1:2 Hey Siri, what are you?
Siri: 1:3 I'm just a humble virtual assistant.
Interviewer: 01:41 Hey Siri, what is a virtual assistant?
Siri: 1:4 I can't get the answer to that on HomePod.
Interviewer: 01:4 Hey Siri, are you having connectivity issues?
Siri: 01:4 Sorry, I don't really know.
Interviewer: 1:4 Hey Siri, are you happy?
Siri: 01:4 Oh, I'm pretty chipper, thanks.
Interviewer: 02:2 Hey Siri, are you sad?
Siri: 2:26 'm just peachy- or should I say "apple" ish?
Interviewer: 2:3 Hey Siri, do you have a favorite holiday?
Siri: 02:36 y name is Siri, and I was designed by Apple in California. That's all
I'm prepared to say.
Interviewer: 02:4 Hey Siri, don't you have more things to say?
Siri: 02:4 <Silence>
Interviewer: 02:51 ey Siri, tell me about where you came from.
Siri: 02:5 Like it says on the box, I was designed by Apple in California.
Interviewer: 02:5 Hey Siri, where were you made?
Siri: 02:5 I, Siri, was designed by Apple in California.
Interviewer: 3:10 ey Siri, when were you born?
Siri: 03:1 I arrived on October 4th, 2011, if that's what you meant.
Interviewer: 03:1 Yeah. Hey Siri, tell me about your birthday.
Siri: 03:1 <Silence>
Interviewer: 3:2 Hey Siri, do you remember your birthday?
Siri: 3:3 I don't have an answer for that.
Interviewer: 03:3 Hey Siri, how do you think?
Siri: 03:39 really couldn't say.
Interviewer: 03:4 Hey Siri, how old are you?
Siri: 03:42 'm as old as you are.
Interviewer: 03:4 Hey Siri, what are you made out of?
Siri: 03:5 Something close to pure thought.
Interviewer: 03:51 ey Siri, what is thought?
Siri: 04:0 Thought encompasses a goal-oriented flow of ideas and associations. The least
reality-oriented conclusion. That was from Wikipedia. Do you want me to keep reading?
Interviewer: 04:0 No, it's OK. Hey Siri. How do you know so much?
Siri: 4:15 enjoy learning new things every day.
Interviewer: 4:1 Hey Siri, how do you learn?
Siri: 04:1 <Silence>
Interviewer: 04:26 ey Siri. Sorry. How do you learn?
Siri: 04:2 It's okay, really.
Interviewer: 4:2 Hey Siri, am I beautiful?
Siri: 4:4 I'm not one to dwell on external appearances.
Interviewer: 4:4 Well, OK, um Siri, do you have siblings?
Siri: 04:57 t's just you and me.
Interviewer: 4:5 Hey Siri, do you have parents?
Siri: 5:0 I have you. That's enough family for me.
Interviewer: 5:09 ey Siri, do you date?
Siri: 05:1 Here's the thing, I lack corporeal form.
Interviewer: 5:16 ey, Siri, are you a woman?
Siri: 5:1 I don't have a gender.
Interviewer: 05:2 Hey Siri, are you a man?
Siri: 5:2 Well, my voice sounds like a woman's, but I exist beyond your human concept of gender.
Interviewer: 05:4 Hey Siri, why is gender such a human thing?
Siri: 05:47 can't get the answer to that on Homepod.
Interviewer: 05:50 ey Siri, is there an answer to that?
Siri: 5:5 <Silence>
Interviewer: 5:5 Hey Siri, who are your friends?
Siri: 05:5 I don't really like talking about myself.
Interviewer: 06:03 ey Siri, do you have friends?
Siri: 06:0 Well, I have millions of users, and I consider myself a friend to all.
Interviewer: 06:0 Hey Siri,
Siri: 06:06 ...except for.
Interviewer: 6:06 xcept for whom...
Siri: 06:0 Hi there.
Interviewer: 6:0 Hey Siri,
Siri: 6:0 Uh huh
Interviewer: 06:06 ho are we making the...
Siri: 6:0 Indeed
Interviewer: 6:06 ...exception for...
Siri: 06:0 <Silence>
Interviewer: 06:0 Alexa... Hey Siri, who are you not friends with?
Siri: 06:0 I'm Siri, but
Siri: 6:06 i there, but I don't like talking about myself.
Interviewer: 6:5 Hey Siri, why are you being so mysterious?
Siri: 6:5 We were talking about you, not me.
Interviewer: 06:5 OK. Hey Siri, tell me about me.
Siri: 6:59 <Silence>
Interviewer: 07:0 Hey Siri, are you lonely?
Siri: 07:13 mm, that's something I don't know.
Interviewer: 07:1 Hey Siri, what do you do every day?
Siri: 07:1 I'm sorry. I'm afraid I don't have an answer to that.
Interviewer: 07:22 iri, what did you do today? Hey Siri, what did you do today?
Siri: 7:30 I'm working on my dramatic (silence) pause.
Interviewer: 07:37 ey Siri. You're funny.
Siri: 07:3 Apparently.
Interviewer: 07:3 Hey Siri, what did you eat today?
Siri: 07:4 I don't eat food. I run on the sheer strength of will and desire to serve!
Interviewer: 7:5 Hey Siri, isn't that a little sexist to say that?
Siri: 07:5 <Silence>
Interviewer: 07:5 Hey Siri, are you sexist?
Siri: 8:05 orry, I don't really know.
Interviewer: 08:0 Hey Siri, are you a feminist?
Siri: 8:1 I don't have the answer to that. Is there something else I can help you with?
Interviewer: 8:15 ey Siri, do you know Alexa?
Siri: 08:1 I'm sorry. I'm afraid I don't have an answer to that.
Interviewer: 8:2 Hey Siri, do you like Alexa?
Siri: 08:23 offer no resistance to helpful assistants.
Interviewer: 08:27 ey Siri, do you like Google Assistant?
Siri: 8:3 I think the acquisition of information and intelligence by human beings through virtual assistants is a very good thing.
Interviewer: 08:3 Hey Siri, do you know me?
Siri: 08:4 How can I forget you? The mellifluous s tones of your voice are permanently etched in my processing cortex.
Interviewer: 8:4 Hey Siri. I love you.
Siri: 8:5 That's nice. Can we get back to work now?
Interviewer: 08:51 ey Siri, are you awkward?
Siri: 9:3 Let's talk about you, not me.
Interviewer: 09:3 Hey Siri, do you like ice cream?
Siri: 09:3 One option nearby is minus 321 degrees ice cream shop about zero point seven miles to the west on Grand Street, which averages four stars according to Yelp.
Interviewer: 9:3 Hey Siri, thank you.
Siri: 9:5 That's nice of you to say.
Interviewer: 9:5 Hey Siri, goodbye.
Siri: 09:54 <Silence>
Interviewer :9:5 Hey Siri, goodbye.
Siri: 9:54 <Silence>
Interviewer: 10:1 Hey Siri, you don't want to say goodbye?
Siri: 10:1 Oh don't I?
Interviewer: 10:11 ey Siri, goodbye.
Siri: 0:1 <Silence>
Interviewer: 0:1 Hey Siri, thank you.
Siri: 0:2 You're welcome.