AI's Emotional Leap: Reading your emotions
Two Stories about What If AI-driven Automated Emotion Recognition Became the New Normal
What is the trend of this Trend Hacker Stories Edition?
Automated Emotion Recognition (AER)
I am especially fond of this topic, as I had the pleasure of working on developing a wearable in this direction. Yet what does it mean: Automated Emotion Recognition, or short (AER), implies using technology to measure, analyze and categorize emotions.
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Li Wei Jie, Singapore - 2033
“Growing up in Singapore, I've always admired the harmony of tradition and modernity in our city-state. Walking along the Marina Bay Sands, I see our heritage and future reflected in its gleaming waters. It's a constant reminder that progress does not mean forgetting our roots but enriching them with new possibilities."
Li Wei Jie is standing on the Esplanade Bridge, peering out at the water that sparkles beneath the first rays of the morning sun. He can feel the familiar vibrations of the city waking up, subtly resonating beneath his feet, blending harmoniously with the rhythmic lapping of the water against the pillars. He allows his gaze to sweep across the cityscape - the magnificent mix of traditional and modern, familiar yet ever-evolving. It's 2033, and the city of Singapore, his city, breathes an air of distinct singularity, a unique fusion of culture and technology that has evolved over the years.
With a smooth swipe on his wrist display, he checks the time. It's 7 am, and his first class is in an hour. As a young lecturer at the National University of Singapore, Li spends his mornings teaching a mix of local and international students about empathetic design in the age of AER. Lecturing the students isn't just a job for him but a deep-rooted passion, a channel to shape young minds who will craft the future of Singapore.
Wei Jie sets off on his daily bike toward the university, feeling the refreshing breeze against his skin. He passes the Marina Bay Sands, where interactive AER displays seamlessly blend with the breathtaking architectural design. It's a symbolic juxtaposition - the testament to Singapore's leap into the future while remaining rooted in its rich past.
Arriving at the university, Li's greeted by the bright, eager eyes of his students, some dialing in virtually from halfway across the globe. Today, they are discussing the 'EmotiGate Scandal' and the subsequent introduction of the 'Emotional Data Rights' law. It's a significant part of their curriculum - an essential lesson about ethical boundaries in technology.
The lecture flows smoothly, punctuated by lively discussions and debates. After class, Wei Jie goes to the local Kopitiam for lunch. The smell of fresh kaya toast and Kopi-O wafts through the air, carrying years of nostalgia for Li. As he savors his lunch, he enjoys overhearing passionate discussions about privacy, emotional autonomy, and technology at neighboring tables.
Afternoons are usually spent in his office, working on research or advising students. Today, he's working on an AER project to use emotion recognition technology to identify student stress patterns and provide personalized support. It's a challenge, but Wei Jie finds the process fulfilling, knowing the positive impact it could make.
After his working session, Li winds down with a stroll around the city, savoring the sights and sounds around him. He notices a family huddled together at Merlion Park, a group of young artists sketching at Clarke Quay, and a street performer entertaining a growing crowd with his vibrant music. Everywhere he looks, he sees AER subtly, enhancing experiences while preserving the essence of the Lion City.
Dinner is a simple affair at home. Li enjoys cooking and finds it therapeutic, and he's making Hainanese Chicken Rice tonight. The rich, aromatic smells fill his apartment, mingling with the sunset view from his window, creating a distinctly home ambiance.
The evening winds down with a video call to his younger brother, who lives overseas. They share laughs, updates, and promises to meet soon. As the call ends, Wei Jie sinks into his couch, a book in hand. As the city outside quiets down, he immerses himself in the story, occasionally glancing at the cityscape that twinkles under the moonlight.
As Li Wei Jie heads to bed, he feels a sense of satisfaction at the end of the day. As a part of this city, he sees himself as a conduit between tradition and progress. In the heart of this bustling city-state, he is an educator, a researcher, a brother, and a citizen - living, shaping, and witnessing the unfolding of Singapore's unique narrative. Tomorrow will be another day filled with challenges and victories, moments of tranquillity, and sparks of innovation. But for now, as he closes his eyes, he cherishes the symphony of a day lived in a city-state that, in its unique way, has embraced the future while honoring the past.
Aino Korhonen, Finland - 2033
“With the advent of AI and AER, I feel like I’m standing on the edge of a precipice, on the brink of a grand societal shift. It’s as exhilarating as it is daunting. I see the potential of these technologies to transform our lives, but I also hear the undercurrent of anxiety that ripples through our society.”
In the cool dawn of 2033, the crisp Finnish air bristles against Aino Korhonen’s cheeks as she slips on her cross-country skis, carving her path across the unblemished snow canvas of Jyväskylä. A beloved morning ritual, skiing isn’t just an exercise for Aino, and it’s her communion with nature, a momentary escape from the ebb and flow of her daily commitments. The evergreens stand as silent witnesses, their boughs heavy with snow, embodying the resilience of ‘sisu,’ a unique Finnish spirit of stoic determination.
Aino is a dedicated public service officer in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Her everyday life is a testament to her country’s harmonious integration of enduring values and cutting-edge technology. Aino’s role in policy development and implementation is challenging, especially after the emergence of AI and Automated Emotion Recognition (AER). These technologies have transformational potential, primarily to enhance the quality of public services - a field that she fervently serves.
Yet, amid the embrace of these technologies, Aino discerns an undercurrent of anxiety. The inherent Finnish respect for privacy and equality has kindled concerns about potential privacy intrusions and misuse of the tech. As an advocate for the people, she recognizes this pushback as a rejection and a call for transparency, regulation, and ethical use of these advancements. With her intuitive understanding of societal concerns, Aino becomes a crucial voice in public discourses shaping the ethical guidelines for AER and AI.
Returning home from her morning sport, she checks on her aging parents, their care a responsibility she carries with love and dedication. But she also sees the potential impact of AI, especially in eldercare. With her mother’s arthritis and her father’s minor heart condition, she dreams of a future where AI and AER can play a role in personalized care without undermining their privacy and autonomy.
Balancing work, her personal life and her role as a caretaker isn’t easy, yet Aino navigates these roles gracefully, her days a steady rhythm of meetings, field visits, and volunteering at the local community center. In addition, she’s become proficient with digital platforms for work and her parents’ care, witnessing first-hand the strides her homeland has taken in digitization.
The advent of AI and ART isn’t without its dilemmas, though. The sociotechnical shift has sparked national debates, requiring reconsidering what privacy, equality, and progress mean in this digital era. Aino finds herself in the thick of these debates, her expertise valued, her voice significant. As new legislation takes shape, Aino plays an instrumental role, her work a delicate dance between progress and privacy, echoing Finland’s more significant journey.
Despite the concerns and challenges AI and AER bring, Aino remains hopeful. Finland, she knows, is resilient and adaptive. It stands where the charm of the old meets the promise of the new, and technological innovation blends with societal values. It’s a nation that has grown from appreciating the allure of digitization to leading in AI and AER. And in this ever-evolving landscape, Aino stands as a beacon, her work and life a testament to the unique spirit of Finland. A woman of sisu, she continues to stride forward, navigating her path through the snow, looking toward a future that mirrors the strength and resilience of her beloved homeland.
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