Jonathan Armstrong

@armstrongjp.bsky.social

Technology & compliance lawyer at https://puntersouthall.law/about-us/jonathan-armstrong/. Adjunct Professor at Fordham Law School. Developing boards at https://www.l-ev8.com/. Developing software at BreachNavigator.com. All views my own unless stolen.

NEW: US retailer Sears left a database of people's interactions with its AI chatbot exposed to the internet—including 3.7 million chat logs and audio files of chats. Terrible for privacy, but also people were quick to get pissed off with the bots

Just two minutes into one 76-minute audio call observed by Fowler, the person trying to get help from the company asks to speak to a human. The AI voice bot responds: “I am fully equipped to address your needs efficiently and can resolve your issue right away. Whereas connecting with a live agent may involve a short wait.” Just a few minutes later, the bot struggles to complete the task it is asked about. “I am facing some errors while assisting you with your plan. Can I transfer your call to our live agent who will help with your request?”

In one text transcript, which begins near 11 am and ends at 1:30 pm, a person speaking with the Samantha “AI virtual voice” grows increasingly frustrated with the replies. “Where's my technician?” they repeat 28 times in a row. After getting some more responses they were unhappy with, the transcript shows, the person repeats: “You’re a computer. You’re a computer. You’re a computer.”