We review products independently, but we may earn affiliate commissions from buying links on this page. Terms of use. Smart home devices with Amazon Alexa built in will now be able to give people advice straight from the National Health Service, the government has announced. Amazon's voice assistant will search the NHS Choices website when asked a health-related question such as "how do I treat a migraine?” or “what are the symptoms of flu?” and then provide an answer - all in order to reduce the strain on the NHS. This announcement is part of the government's aim to make the NHS more digitally available; the BBC reports that other tech companies, such as Microsoft, will be building similar features into its own products. Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock said in a statement that: "We want to empower every patient to take better control of their healthcare and technology like this is a great example of how people can access reliable, world-leading NHS advice from the comfort of their home, reducing the pressure on our hardworking GPs and pharmacists." The government says that the technology will help elderly, blind, and disabled patients access information better through voice commands, but it is worth noting that these devices are a luxury not everyone can afford. Critics are also conscious of the kind of data Amazon would now have access to; quoted in The Times, Silkie Carlo, director of Big Brother Watch, described the partnership as “astonishingly misguided” “Amazon’s Alexa records what people say, stores recordings in data centres we know nothing about, and exploits our data for profit . . . It’s a data protection disaster waiting to happen.” Relying on this technology could also stop people from seeking out help when they need it, or showing alternative treatments. Unlike accessing the internet on a computer or smartphone, where there are a number of other easily-accessible websites available, using a voice-controlled speaker such as an Amazon Echo or Google's Home devices means that users are generally only given one result. Moreover, there is no guarantee it's the correct one. Famously, Apple's Siri assistant erroneously informed users that the Bulgarian national anthem is Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito,” or told people that Donald Trump was a penis. Although none of these incorrect answers had any significant impact, the information was nevertheless presented as fact when it was not. With no other way of getting alternative information from a voice assisted speaker. or even checking that its accurate by searching for other sources, big tech companies and government bodies will have to ensure that all information remains correct - especially if they want to be any kind of authority when it comes to suggesting treatments.
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We review products independently, but we may earn affiliate commissions from buying links on this page. Terms of use. Smart home devices with Amazon Alexa built in will now be able to give people advice straight from the National Health Service, the government has announced. Amazon's voice assistant will search the NHS Choices website when asked a health-related question such as "how do I treat a migraine?” or “what are the symptoms of flu?” and then provide an answer - all in order to reduce the strain on the NHS. This announcement is part of the government's aim to make the NHS more digitally available; the BBC reports that other tech companies, such as Microsoft, will be building similar features into its own products. Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock said in a statement that: "We want to empower every patient to take better control of their healthcare and technology like this is a great example of how people can access reliable, world-leading NHS advice from the comfort of their home, reducing the pressure on our hardworking GPs and pharmacists." The government says that the technology will help elderly, blind, and disabled patients access information better through voice commands, but it is worth noting that these devices are a luxury not everyone can afford. Critics are also conscious of the kind of data Amazon would now have access to; quoted in The Times, Silkie Carlo, director of Big Brother Watch, described the partnership as “astonishingly misguided” “Amazon’s Alexa records what people say, stores recordings in data centres we know nothing about, and exploits our data for profit . . . It’s a data protection disaster waiting to happen.” Relying on this technology could also stop people from seeking out help when they need it, or showing alternative treatments. Unlike accessing the internet on a computer or smartphone, where there are a number of other easily-accessible websites available, using a voice-controlled speaker such as an Amazon Echo or Google's Home devices means that users are generally only given one result. Moreover, there is no guarantee it's the correct one. Famously, Apple's Siri assistant erroneously informed users that the Bulgarian national anthem is Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito,” or told people that Donald Trump was a penis. Although none of these incorrect answers had any significant impact, the information was nevertheless presented as fact when it was not. With no other way of getting alternative information from a voice assisted speaker. or even checking that its accurate by searching for other sources, big tech companies and government bodies will have to ensure that all information remains correct - especially if they want to be any kind of authority when it comes to suggesting treatments.