Alexa, change the subject! Amazon’s virtual assistant can now be used to stop family disputes at Christmas by stepping in with ‘distraction’ questions
- A survey for Amazon found the most common cause of contention was money
- They asked 1,500 Brits for the most common arguments over the festive season
- Families spend an average of about 75 hours together over the Christmas period
- Most arguments are likely to kick off early evening, starting at about 6:30pm
Amazon has a solution to the traditional festive feud in the form of its virtual assistant Alexa – if things get heated this Christmas just ask it to ‘change the subject’.
A survey for the online retail giant found that 6:30pm GMT on Christmas Day is when the first real arguments are likely to break out, and they’re usually about money.
When asked ‘Alexa, Change the Subject’, the AI-powered assistant will suggest a debating topic ranging from different superpowers to the best Christmas movies.
Amazon says it could be used by families as a ‘distraction technique’ to stop things turning into a full-blown row.
Amazon has a solution to the traditional festive feud in the form of its virtual assistant Alexa – if things get heated this Christmas just ask it to ‘change the subject’. Stock Image
The new survey of 1,500 British people, suggests that most of the time food and drink are offered as a way of distracting from an argument.
Some of the questions Alexa has been programmed to pose include ‘Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?’ and ‘What would your superpower be and why?’
Questions about whether jam or cream are added to scone first and who is each person’s celebrity crush are also on the list.
While money is at the top of the argument list, it is closely followed by what to watch on TV and bad behaviour, the research found.
Other current distraction techniques to avoid an argument include asking someone to go for a walk to get some fresh air and suggesting everyone plays a game.
The new survey of 1,500 British people, suggests that most arguments break out between siblings. Stock image
Of those surveyed 13 per cent said they like to share a funny video in order to calm the waters and 14 per cent will go so far as to sing or dance spontaneously.
According to the study the average family spends 75 hours together over the yuletide break, with 46 per cent admitting it can be a stressful time.
WHAT ARE THE TOP 20 FAMILY FALLOUTS?
SOURCE: Amazon Alexa
In fact, a diplomatic 43 per cent said they spend most of the festive period biting their tongue or simply walking away if an argument looks like it’s on the cards.
Despite Brexit and the recent election, according to the survey the average family is more likely to quarrel over the rules of a board game than politics.
Also 11 per cent will be ‘throwing a wobbler over presents’ while a fifth will get into a spat over the post-Christmas dinner clean-up.
The survey revealed that family members grow increasingly tetchy with one another in the early evening, with rows most likely to erupt between siblings – although a quarter of those responding said it’s Mum, they’re most likely to clash with.
The average person is likely to try to attempt to shift the topic of conversation five times during a family gathering in order to diffuse the situation, the survey found.
As well as preparing a series of topics for discussion, including whether pineapple belongs on a pizza, and whether Brian Cox counts as a weird celebrity crush, Amazon has equipped its smart speaker with other ‘tools’ to diffuse a tense situation.
People will be able to ask for festive facts such as why we eat turkey on Christmas Day, how Santa fits down the chimney and how reindeer fly.
The artificial intelligence device can also sing Christmas songs and tell festive jokes.
The ‘Change the subject’ skill is available on any device that has the Alexa voice assistant including iPhone and Android smartphones with the Alexa app installed.
HOW TO GET A DISTRACTION FROM ALEXA
Amazon’s voice assistant has been programmed to offer up a topic of distraction if things get a little heated at home this Christmas.
Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant has been programmed to offer topics of debate. Stock image
The new ‘skill’ is available on any device that has the Alexa voice assistant including smartphones with the Alexa app.
It is activated by saying: ‘Alexa, Change the subject’.
The virtual assistant will then offer up a topic for the family to discuss as an alternative to arguing over money or whose turn it is to wash the dishes.
Debate topics include:
- My favourite animal is the octopus. What’s your favourite animal, and why?
- Scones – jam then cream, or cream then jam? Defend your reasoning. Go!
- Try taking turns answering this question: If you could have any super power, what would it be, and why?
- Is ‘Die Hard’ a Christmas movie?
- I’ve got a little bit of a thing for Professor Brian Cox. Do you have a celebrity crush? Who is it? And why?
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