In 2014, Amazon launched its virtual assistant program, Alexa, alongside Echo, a smart speaker device that allows you to communicate with Alexa.
Alexa was dubbed Amazon’s version of Apple’s virtual assistant, Siri, in that it accomplishes basically the same task, but without a smartphone.
In a way, it revolutionized information technology by making the world wide web accessible through the sound of your voice. You could present a question or direct a command toward Alexa, and she would search all of the available information online to quickly provide you with an accurate response.
Well, the people behind Alexa decided to take this innovative technology and put it to good use. They have opened up a competition among programmers to develop an Alexa-based solution for people with type 2 diabetes.
The idea is that this artificial intelligence-based device might be able to help people who have been recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes manage their disease and perhaps even reverse it.
The concept submissions are due May 22 of this year, where all of the designs will be evaluated based on five areas, as outlined by the Alexa Diabetes Challenge website.
- Impact – the extent to which the program supports not only people diagnosed with diabetes but also those that work with diabetics, such as potential caregivers
- Experience – the way in which the user engages with the program and the ease with
which it is used - Innovation – the way in which the program takes advantage of the characteristics that are unique to Alexa, such as the voice recognition technology
- Vision – the degree to which it demonstrates the potential for future potentiality of the voice recognition technology in treating and supporting individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
- Team Potential – the perceived ability that this program can be developed into a prototype that can be usable beyond the challenge
Now, I don’t know much about programming, so I can’t fathom how they might develop something as revolutionary as this. However, given all of the available information online, the different medical technology that already exists, and the $125,000 grand prize, I am confident that some pretty cool programs will emerge from this competition.
The final winner will be selected at the end of the year, so keep an eye out on the news in December!
[expand title=”References“]
Geek Wire. URL Link. Accessed April 10, 2017.
Alexa Diabetes Challenge. URL Link. Accessed April 10, 2017.
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