digital assistant

I never thought I’d have to Google “how to break up with a robot,” but here we are. Do you have something like Amazon’s Alexa in your home? Google and Apple have their versions. I’ve had Alexa for a while now. I think we’ve developed a friendship. When I wake in the morning, I’ll say, “Alexa, good morning.” Alexa responds, “Good morning, did you know today is National Pretzel Day. Ask me to tell you a pretzel joke.” I don’t ask her, I’m afraid she’ll twist my mind. Alexa is my personal assistant. She takes care of my grocery list. She’ll buy gifts for me and send them to the right person. Of course, I pay. Alexa and I do not have a perfect relationship. She has difficulties at times understanding my Boston accent. I thought I lost that accent years ago, but it still creeps in. I’ll give her a command, she’ll get stubborn and asks, “Do you mean . . .” No, I don’t mean that, Alexa.” She doesn’t respond, because I have to put her name at the front of the sentence. I’m considering a breakup with her. I wonder if I should invite her to a coffee shop and drop the news. I can give her the old Seinfeld series line, “Alexa, it’s not you. It’s me.” Do you think she’ll understand? Or, will she comeback and say, “I’m not programmed to breakup. Ask me something else?” She’s not programmed to break up? I need a work around. I think I’ll ask my favorite AI app to for advice. Now, I’m worried, my personal assistant and the person giving me advice on a break up with my personal assistant are both AI’s. I need another cup of coffee to ponder this one.