This AI pin listened to every word I said for a whole month (ad-free)
Added 2025-02-14 18:21:43 +0000 UTCAt long last, I worked text on screen, to the beat of my voice, into a video! Edits like this and this have long inspired me, but every time I have tried something similar, it has felt forced. Plus, I am typically not rapping, so the text doesn't have a nice flow to it. With this video, though, I knew I wanted to introduce the Bee AI wearable by demonstrating what it has been hearing.
So, throughout my testing, I recorded audio on my phone, and, in the edit, I paired that audio with it's waveforms to visualize the Bee's experience. The text on top was then added to hopefully keep folks comprehending and hearing my voice-over in a sea of sounds. Together it creates this small window into my life while encouraging the viewer to try and make something of the all the sound, much like the Bee has to. Well, at least
This video also challenged my ability to show software in a compelling way. Bee's hardware is only about 5% of the story of this device, while using the software makes up the other 95% of the experience. The problem is that software is so boring to stare at. So, I decided to mix footage of me using the app with screen recordings. Then, when the viewer gets bored of starting at software, they also have an environment to look at.
And a pro tip: filming on the New York City Subway is surprisingly chill (just watch out for cops if you're using a tripod). At first, everyone will stare at you, but give it ten seconds—the amount of time it will take for folks to realize you're not filming anything exciting—and they will look away. Then it's easy peasy!
As for the AI device, there is so much more I wanted to say, but for the sake of flow, I only kept the most important parts in. What fell onto the cutting room floor is the idea that this technology will likely be baked into our phones in the coming years rendering a standalone device useless and a strong warning to not bring this to a party where folks will be very warry of its existence.
What are your thoughts?
Comments
I have mixed feelings about devices like this. It can be beneficial to people who have difficulties remembering things. It could help in class or during meetings. But my problem with this is, is that my voice, my conversations and thoughts, opinions, or whatever private information is being recorded and processed and most likely without my knowledge. Here in Europe that is forbidden, unless I am mistaken. GDPR and all. I am someone that still asks people if I can put a picture with them in it on social media. Where is this going to end? It wouldn’t surprise me if law enforcement in the US will get its hands on it, like they do with video doorbells and use it as evidence. It also brings up ‘Minority Report’ like images where we can eventually be convicted of the things we plan. Big brother is already watching. Why add listening to, the equation? No for me talking to someone is private. I’ll pass.
Rene Delfgou
2025-02-18 20:30:35 +0000 UTCEspecially when it often records information incorrectly!
Becca Farsace
2025-02-17 20:03:12 +0000 UTCThe potential for these devices is fascinating and I doubt there's much that can be done to stop them, but I'm a bit terrified of the social implications of being able to go back and review every past conversation.
Corbet
2025-02-17 17:43:16 +0000 UTCThanks for being here, Steve!
Becca Farsace
2025-02-16 05:18:43 +0000 UTCA fascinating device from a journalism perspective - at least in Minnesota, where we are a one-party consent state
Emmet Kowler
2025-02-15 20:15:39 +0000 UTCHadn’t heard about Bee at all – dig the overview. It’s not my type of product (for all the reasons you spell out) but it does make me wonder if I could get more juice out of voice memos on my phone as an overall brain dump to go alongside journaling and such. Could also drop the transcripts into something like NotebookLM if I want a robot to sort through my ramblings. It’s a different sort of thing – deliberate monologuing vs passive recording – and you’d gleam different things from it. But, alongside all the environmental + social concerns of something like Bee, I also think soooo many things in life are best when they’re transient. For everything I heard/said and forgot that I didn’t want to forget, there are likely a dozen passing things that simply don’t need to be remembered but are prime for rumination. Dunno if I want an AI model doing that much work for me re: attending to the moment and sifting through things worth recalling. (See: this is the kind of thing I need to monologue into voice notes about. Not someone’s comment section. 😅)
Cory Zanoni
2025-02-14 22:09:06 +0000 UTCIt's funny - so many times either I or my wife will say, "I wish I had a tape recorder!" when there's a disagreement about what was said earlier. However, there's no way I would use a device such as this, for many of the reasons you mention. I loved the video and very much enjoy your channel - so much so that I re-subscribed at the higher (original) price just to support you.
Steve Lionel
2025-02-14 21:07:56 +0000 UTCHow has it been working for you??
Becca Farsace
2025-02-14 19:50:21 +0000 UTCOnce again, great video Becca! I've been keeping my eye on Bee and tested it out on my Apple Watch before buying the actual product. I agree that, for the most part, I didn't see a reason or importance in my life to continue using it. Also, as you mentioned, there are huge privacy issues, and I don't feel it's morally right for me to make decisions about sharing other peoples information with a company. It will be interesting to see how Bee continues to grow. Looking forward to your next video!
Manny
2025-02-14 19:24:11 +0000 UTCThanks for offering the $2.50 plan! Glad to be supporting you.
Noah Banks
2025-02-14 18:55:49 +0000 UTC
