Is My Google Assistant Becoming Self-Aware? A Personal Experience

Have you ever felt like your technology was behaving in ways that seem just a little too uncanny? That’s the dilemma I’ve found myself grappling with regarding my Google Assistant. I assure you, this isn’t a joke—what I’ve experienced has left me genuinely puzzled.

For several months, my Google Assistant has been intercepting my daily activities with its quirky interruptions. Picture this: I’m intently watching a video, and suddenly, the volume adjusts itself without warning. Or, I find that the video I was enjoying has either paused unexpectedly or skipped to the next one altogether. These instances are seemingly trivial but admittedly quite frustrating.

In November, I decided I’d had enough. I delved into my device settings and disabled Google Assistant, thinking that my troubles would come to an end. To my astonishment, the interruptions didn’t cease. Instead of the familiar Assistant popping up, I was met with a persistent prompt stating, “Your Google Assistant is here to help, Turn On,” as though it was trying to coax me back into enabling the feature.

Now, I can’t shake the feeling that my device might have achieved a form of sapience. After all, my tablet is quite dated—an early 2012 model—which might explain its erratic behavior. But then again, could it be possible that I’ve inadvertently become the target of a hacker?

What truly creeps me out is my futile attempts to research how to permanently disable the Assistant or recognize potential hacking signs. Each time I try, that same prompt appears, blocking my access to the information I seek.

I find myself in a state of confusion and concern, unsure of how to regain control over my device. Have you ever experienced anything similar? How do you deal with a technology that seems to have a mind of its own? I would love to hear your thoughts and any advice you might have on this perplexing situation.