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| Amazon's Echo or Echo Dot speakers are equipped with virtual assistant Alexa. / Courtesy of Amazon |
By Lee Han-soo
Are we already living in a world where artificial intelligence (AI) can be a lifesaver?
According to a recent case reported by New Mexico police, it certainly is a possibility.
On July 2, the Bernalillo County Sheriff's office responded to a domestic dispute after being allegedly informed by Alexa, an Amazon virtual AI assistant device.
The woman, whose identity was withheld, was known to have been in an argument with her boyfriend Eduardo Barros.
When the argument became violent, Barros allegedly threatened the woman with his handgun before hitting her in the face.
"Barros asked the victim, 'Did you call the sheriff?' This question, based on the victim's statements, prompted ‘Alexa' to contact law enforcement," police said. "In the 911 recording, the victim can be heard yelling, 'Alexa, call 911.'"
Police said they immediately responded and were able to save the woman and her daughter while arresting Barros.
"The unexpected use of this new technology to help contact emergency services has possibly helped save a life," police said. "This amazing technology definitely helped save a mother and her child from a very violent situation."
But according to Amazon, Alexa's creator, the device is not equipped to make emergency calls.
"Alexa calling and messaging does not support 911 calls," a company spokesperson told Fox News. "Therefore, the phrase ‘call the sheriff' would not trigger a call to emergency services."
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