In 2018, the AI will be listening more than ever: Is our privacy under threat?

It seems strange in a world where Facebook users believe the social network listens to their private spoken conversations -- and produces related adverts -- that smart, learning and always-listening devices with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant are suddenly so popular. At CES 2017, Alexa ruled the nascent smart speaker roost, as the personal assistant appeared on devices beyond those of Amazon's own Echo range. Google countered with the Google Assistant, and at CES 2018 we have seen both spread far and wide. Finding Alexa or Google Assistant (or even both) inside a television or speaker is no longer a surprise. But as the smart home of the future finally becomes an attainable reality, artificial intelligence is appearing everywhere. At CES it was in fridges and ovens, washing machines, dryers and even light switches.