The Rise of Virtual Assistants: Are They Really Helping or Hindering?
In today’s fast-paced world, many of us find ourselves overwhelmed with to-do lists and never-ending tasks. Enter virtual assistant services, promising to take the burden off our shoulders and make our lives easier. But are these services truly helpful, or are they just adding to the problem?
Many virtual assistant apps suggest throwing money at the problem, which may not be feasible for everyone, especially those struggling financially. These apps transform parents from workers into consumers, turning to-do lists into shopping lists. But who is really performing these tasks behind the scenes? It may be call center workers or other invisible laborers, making artificial intelligence systems seem to run automatically.
The line between human and artificial is blurred, with some services claiming to use “actual humans” but also utilizing generative A.I. to assist them. The language used by these services, such as “worker bees” or “fairy godmothers,” can obscure the reality of outsourcing tasks to an anonymous labor force.
The work that these services aim to eliminate is often feminized, seen as “women’s work.” Virtual assistants can help distribute family burdens more equitably, a duty often belittled as “nagging.” Some argue that artificial intelligence could play a crucial role in easing societal and economic burdens that disproportionately affect women.
But as we rely more on virtual assistants, are we losing something personal and rewarding in the process? The author of the article spent time as a virtual assistant taskmaster and realized that much of the busywork claimed by the apps is actually quite personal and occasionally transformative.
In a world where efficiency is prized above all else, perhaps it’s time to reconsider the role of virtual assistants in our lives. Are they truly helping us do less, or are they just adding to the never-ending list of things to do? The boundary between human and artificial may be slippery, but it’s important to consider the impact of these services on our lives and the labor force behind them.
