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Johannesburg - Animated TV show South Park’s latest episode has activated the artificial intelligence (AI) assistant Amazon Echo in the real world.
The US animated series, known for its crass humour and strong language, often confronts topical issues, with the latest being digital assistants.
The first episode of its 20th season White People Renovating Houses has characters talking to the Amazon Echo device, which is activated by saying the words “Alexa”.
As the episode aired, Echo users took to Twitter to report that the show had set of their AI devices.
READ: Smart speaker witness to murder? Prosecutors seek Amazon Echo data
Some users said their devices turned on up to 15 times during the episode.
The Amazon Echo speaker is currently not available in South Africa but can be purchased through grey market suppliers.
The US TV show airs on Comedy Central on DStv’s channel 122 and is said to be one of the most popular Comedy Central Animated shows.
Although animated, the TV series is not for children with Comedy Central stating: “Its goal seems to be to offend as many as possible as it presents the adventures of Stan, Kyle, Kenny and Cartman. These four little fourth graders live in one messed up town.”
This @SouthPark episode has set my @amazon Alexa off about 15 times so far. Had to unplug it
— Chris (@ChrisMn84) September 14, 2017
#SouthPark21 ep 1 setting off my @amazonecho left and right but still loved the first episode
— Rocker (@Rocker182) September 14, 2017
Watching the new @SouthPark episode & my Alexa went off ?????? #SouthPark21 pic.twitter.com/0ehBuAxVpp
— Jessica Plunkett (@Jesserican) September 14, 2017
Thank you @SouthPark for adding "bags", and setting an alarm on my personal Alexa.... pic.twitter.com/8Sc4XDj1tN
— Tricia (@TrishALish08) September 14, 2017
Our Alexa reacting to her name being said on #southpark pic.twitter.com/xY942sLHNK
— Vandal (@SSnatter) September 14, 2017
