Author: Sonja Utz, Professor of Communication Via Social Media, University of Tübingen

Smart speakers with voice assistants like Alexa are a popular Christmas gift, and due to the recent development of generative AI, conversations with voice assistants are becoming more natural and “human” than ever. Instead of treating voice assistants as servants that switch off the light or play music, they are now marketed as companions that can be used for sophisticated tasks. For example, more and more people turn to them to find out information and facts. Voice assistants are especially convenient for people who have problems with writing or reading, such as children, blind people or some older adults. But…