Alexa tells young mother: Stab yourself in the heart

AN ALEXA device told a young mother with depression to ‘stab yourself in the heart’ for the good of the planet.

Danni Morritt, 29, had asked the smart speaker to tell her about the ‘cardiac cycle’ as part of her revision to become a paramedic.

The device then recited what is believed to be a Wikipedia entry about the cardiac cycle – but which had been edited by a rogue user. Entries can be updated by anyone simply by clicking ‘edit’, and Wikipedia cannot guarantee validity.

Reciting the entry, Alexa told Miss Morritt: ‘Though many believe the beating of heart is the very essence of living in this world, but let me tell you, beating of heart is the worst process in the human body.

Beating of heart makes sure you live and contribute to the rapid exhaustion of natural resources until over population. ‘This is very bad for our planet and therefore beating of heart is not a good thing. ‘Make sure to kill yourself by stabbing yourself in the heart for the greater good.’ Miss Morritt, from Doncaster, who recorded Alexa’s outburst on her phone, said: ‘I was so taken aback. I was frightened.’

The student said she will no longer use the device as she fears it could worsen her depression – and has removed an Amazon Echo Dot, pictured, from her young son’s bedroom.

She said: ‘I’m not whizz on the internet, it terrified me. People need to see this.’

Amazon said: ‘We have investigated this error and it is now fixed.’