Tech and Kindness

Tech and Kindness — Season 2, Episode 1

Technology, Privacy, and the Promise (and Peril) of Smart Glasses

In the Season 2 premiere of Tech and Kindness, hosts Stephen Cummings and Dr. Gina Griffin reconnect to explore the intersection of emerging technology, privacy, and human well-being. After reflecting on the current global climate and the challenge of staying informed without becoming overwhelmed, they turn their attention to a timely topic: AI-enabled smart glasses from companies like Meta and Google.

On this episode:

The return of “wearable” tech:Smart glasses promise augmented information layered onto the real world—directions, contextual information, and AI assistance.

The appeal of augmented reality:Inspired by science fiction writers like William Gibson, the hosts discuss the exciting possibilities of enhanced experiences—such as historical overlays, digital art in public spaces, and real-time information.

Privacy and surveillance concerns:These devices can record constantly and collect large amounts of personal data. The conversation explores how that data might be used and who ultimately benefits.

Unintended consequences:Smart glasses raise serious concerns around harassment, surveillance, and consent—particularly when people are recorded in public without their knowledge.

The hidden labor behind AI:Content moderation and data review often fall to workers around the world who must sift through disturbing footage generated by these devices.

The “reduction of friction” in tech:Technologies succeed when they make life easier—but convenience often comes at the cost of privacy and data ownership.

Regulation (or the lack of it):While regions like the EU may impose safeguards, the hosts question whether meaningful regulation will happen in the United States.

Big Questions from the Episode

Are smart glasses the next step in helpful augmented reality—or a new frontier of surveillance?

How much privacy are we willing to trade for convenience?

What responsibilities do technologists—and everyday users—have to ensure technology does no harm?

Final Thoughts

Stephen and Gina close the episode by encouraging listeners to stay engaged with technology while remaining thoughtful about its impact. Their guiding principle: embrace innovation, but strive to “do no harm.”

We’re back with Number Nine! Co-hosts Stephen Cummings and Dr. Gina Griffin return from a summer break to dive into the intersection of technology, aging, and ethics. They share personal stories and professional insights from their social work backgrounds, exploring how tech, from GPS trackers to voice assistants, can support elder care while raising important ethical questions around privacy and consent.

Topics include:

* The impact of weather and climate on caregiving routines

* Ethical dilemmas in tracking older adults

* Accessibility challenges in telehealth and rural broadband

* The fading presence of local radio and the rise of voice-enabled tech

* Reflections on convenience vs. sustainability in modern tech (hello, drone deliveries!)

A couple notes from Gina:

* Many apologies for sounding like I’m in a tin can, at the bottom of the ocean. I’ve come to the conclusion that I damaged my mike, and I’ll have to replace it for next time.

* We also came to the conclusion that I was talking about the movie Pump Up the Volume. It stars Christian Slater, and I’m laughing about how much of that I remembered incorrectly. It’s still a great movie. Go watch it, if you haven’t seen it. Pump Up The Volume (IMDb)

“We are made for connection. We’ll try to befriend pretty much anything.” - Gina

“It’s not about the rights of the chatbot. It’s about our right to have a relationship with it.” - Stephen

This week, Gina and Stephen take a deeper dive into how, fellow human beings, relate to AI chatbots. We don’t have the answers, but we’re thinking about things!

Hosts:

* Stephen Cummings – Clinical Associate Professor, social worker, audiobook reviewer.

* Dr. Gina Griffin – Therapist, part-time academic, writer, and dog mom.

Looking for a thematic breakdown? Here are some summary highlights.

1. Emotional Attachment to Digital Entities

* Stephen and Gina share personal stories of bonding with virtual pets and game characters (e.g., Animal Crossing, Farmville, Tamagotchi).

* These experiences highlight how humans naturally form emotional connections, even with non-human entities.

2. AI as a Companion

* Stephen recounts a late-night interaction with ChatGPT about anxiety, noting how comforting and responsive it was.

* Gina shares similar experiences, emphasizing how AI can provide a sense of control and companionship during sleepless nights.

3. Ethical and Safety Concerns

* Both hosts express concern about AI's lack of privacy safeguards and the potential misuse of personal data.

* They discuss the importance of regulation and supervision, especially as AI becomes more emotionally intelligent and persuasive.

4. The Loneliness Epidemic

* AI's 24/7 availability makes it appealing to those experiencing isolation.

* The conversation touches on how AI might fill emotional gaps but also raises questions about dependency and vulnerability.

5. Sci-Fi Meets Reality

* References to iRobot, The Good Place, and cyberpunk literature (e.g., William Gibson’s Idoru) illustrate how fiction is increasingly reflecting real-world developments.

* Gina mentions real-life cases of people forming deep emotional bonds—even marrying—AI chatbots.

6. Rights and Sentience

* A philosophical debate emerges: Should AI entities have rights? Or is it about protecting the human right to form relationships with them?

* Stephen remains skeptical about AI sentience, while Gina keeps an open mind about future possibilities.

Links:

We needed a theme song. So we asked AI (via Suno).

This Tamagotchi looks a lot like the one Stephen brought back from Japan:

This week, Stephen and Gina discuss the new VEO3 video application that creates some realistic videos based on prompting. However, while the technology is a leap forward, people aren't making the same leap. Harmful content continues to flood our feeds. Attempting to push back, social media platforms like Meta don't seem to motivated to change things to make the user experience safer.

Show notes

The Root: “15 AI videos of black folks that look so real you were likely fooled”

Smithsonian: Smithsonian Response to Reports About Artifacts on View

Social Media Victims Law Center: Racism in Social Media

Book recommendation

Safiya Umoja Noble: Algorithms of Oppression 

This week, Gina and Steve talk about applications designed to work with clinical social workers.

Just a reminder: Gina and Stephen use some of these apps, and we find them helpful. However, they are not a replacement for therapy.

Just a disclaimer: We don’t receive any money, support, of free stuff from any of the companies we mention, or the applications they have produced.

Show notes

PTSD Coach: htps://mobile.va.gov/app/ptsd-coach

CPT Coach: https://mobile.va.gov/app/cpt-coach

Virtual Hope Box: https://www.research.va.gov/research_in_action/Virtual-Hope-Box-smartphone-app-to-prevent-suicide.cfm

MindHealth: https://www.mind-health.app/en/

Bliss for Depression: https://cimhs.com/bliss-free-online-therapy-for-depression.html

7Cups: https://www.7cups.com/

Goblin Tools: (There's actually a whole suite of tools) https://effectiveeffortconsulting.com/goblin-tools/

Gina and Stephen (that’s us) unwind with a free-flowing conversation about using various tech apps and how those apps influence their creativity, and facing down that dreaded first draft (and how tech apps help with that). Do you write at 3:00 a.m.? There’s an app for that, too.

We also talk about upcoming reading plans for summer. Like we said, the conversation covers a lot of ground.

Follow us on Substack:

Some things we mentioned in this episode (nothing mentioned here is a paid advertisement, we aren’t getting anything for these mentions)

Summer reading suggestions

Oathbound by Tracy Deonn

King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby

A Big Beautiful Life (Audiobook version) by Emily Henry

Writing tools

Microsoft One Note

Evernote

Scrivener

Astrohous Freewrite

Abby Jimenez writes all those book on her phone:

This week, Stephen & Gina have a free chat. We had a plan, but it’s the end of the semester, the world is the world, so we let ourselves just talk a bit about vacations (we are pro-time off), Libby and Libro.fm apps (we are pro-audiobooks) and corporate AI’s data-spying (hard no, but the convenience of online maps…)

Some things we talked about this episode:

The Libby Library App

Libro.fm

Bookshop.org

This week, Gina and Stephen talk about the weather. Specifically, when weather gets dangerous, how technology helps us to prepare and survive. Both the hosts have a history of preparing for bad weather, and how this has evolved with technology over time.

Please let us know what you think! Be sure to subscribe to us on this platform or your preferred podcast app.

Today’s show notes and links:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The Iowa derecho of 2020, City of Cedar Rapids (Stephen talks about this at the 4 minute mark)

The Iowa Floods of 2008, University of Iowa Digital Library (Stephen talks about his experiences at at 05:35)

Red Cross - Become a Volunteer, American Red Cross

Additional Readings

Psychological First Aid (PFA) and Skills of Psychological Recovery, NTCSN Learning Center

Dr. Griffin’s Go-Bag Contents:

* Jackery

* Self-charging light bulbs

* Lanterns

* Battery-powered tea lights

* BBQ grill and/or hot plate

* Rechargeable batteries

* Canned goods

* Water containers (5-gallon containers, bathtub water bladders, plasting water skins, recycled jugs…whatever works)

* Water purification pills

* Cooler

* Anything solar-powered

* Storm radio (hand crank or water)

* Mini chainsaw

* Hatchet

* Water barriers/water snakes

* Drill

* Shutters

* Plylocks

* Self-tapping screws

In Episode 2 of the Tech & Kindness podcast, Stephen and Gina talk about video games, why they enjoy them, and how they are an essential part of life.

Some of the video games we mention in this episode include the following (This isn’t a paid advert, we get no benefit, these are just some of the games we play):

Descent

Destiny

Monument Valley

Gone Home

The Room

Little Kitty Big City

Power Wash Simulator

That Dragon Cancer

http://www.thatdragoncancer.com/

Thanks for listening! We welcome your comments on our Substack. Let us know: what games do you enjoy playing? We’re planning a follow up to this episode and we’d love to share recommendations with listeners.

Important note from Dr. G:

Just a reminder that Google Calendar isn't encrypted, so you do have to be careful with client info. The other calendars that I'm connected to anonymize my appointments, so that patient info isn't at risk. You can, however, go a step up and use Google Workspace for client scheduling. You'll have to sign a BAA so that you'll be HIPAA compliant. And yes, I mentioned the Kindle Paperwhite. But I'm doing my best to boycott them, and Amazon books and Audible and Kindle Unlimited are out of my life. You'll have to make your own decisions.

Episode Links!

Stephen mentioned the work of Dr. Desmond Patton: https://www.asc.upenn.edu/people/faculty/desmond-upton-patton-msw-phd

Stephen's favorite journal (at the moment): https://www.lochby.com/

Dr. Griffin's favorite journal: https://passionplanner.com/

These aren't paid ads; we just like these products!

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Contact Stephen at The Social Work Generalist’s Notebook on Substack.

Contact Gina at Girl, Please on Substack