The Secret Genius of Modern Life

Episode
Virtual Assistant
Broadcast Info
2023 (59 mins)
Description
Did you know your Alexa’s voice was inspired by a 1970s sci-fi villain? In this episode of The Secret Genius of Modern Life, Hannah Fry delves into the inner workings of virtual assistants, like Google Assistant and Siri, which are now found in almost half of all UK homes. Hannah Fry delves into the inner workings of virtual assistants like Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri, which are now found in almost half of all UK homes. Hannah goes behind the scenes with Alexa’s chief scientist, reveals how secret technology invented to hunt U-boats led to their targeted hearing and discovers modern wireless networks’ debt to a 1940s Hollywood star.
Genre
Culture; Technology

How to cite this record

The Open University, "The Secret Genius of Modern Life". https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ou/search/index.php/prog/243693 (Accessed 10 Jan 2025)