Ghost hunting is a pursuit shrouded in mystery and fascination as daring souls seek to converse with the other side. As technology has advanced, so too have the tools and devices utilized in paranormal investigations. Among the newest additions to the ghost hunter's arsenal are devices featuring Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIOT). While AIOT devices have transformed countless facets of our daily lives, there are critical reasons these particular devices don't belong in investigations of the other side. This blog post revisits why AIOT devices would compromise the integrity of ghost hunting and why they should not be used in paranormal investigations.
1. Built-in Offline Speech Recognition
One of the standout features of AIOT devices is built-in offline speech recognition. While a bonus for everyday tasks like voice assistants and home automation, this proves quite problematic when used in ghost hunting. Paranormal investigators frequently use audio recordings and Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) to capture unexplained sounds or voices thought to be from the spirit world.
By using built-in offline speech recognition, AIOT devices could easily be influenced to generate intelligent-sounding responses, a feat known as TTS (Text-to-Speech), that appear as intelligent as the speech of a human. Sure enough, ghost hunters would likely mistake these responses as paranormal and their investigation would thusly be tainted with false evidence. This sort of deception threatens the field's legitimacy and genuine conclusions may suffer as a result.
2. Built-in GPS
This next feature is a scary one if you're talking about haunted locations. AIOT devices frequently utilize built-in GPS functionality. Essential for location-based services and tracking, this comes with risk when being used in ghost hunting. Paranormal investigators often visit certain spots, such as “hot spots” or places thought to be actively haunted. With AIOT devices in tow, pinpointing these locations is a walk in the park. Subsequently, it could be assumed that those conducting the investigation might manipulate or “fake” evidence of their own in an attempt to secure the approval of their peers, colleagues or superiors.
3. Potential for Evidence Manipulation
Here are three specific issues:
GPS functionality As AIOT devices access GPS, individuals know where the ghost hunting groups are. Keep in mind that groups working commercial locations are always known. Unscrupulous individuals might program systems so they start a response or event when they recognize themselves in a known hot spot. They could use this to fake evidence, thus confirming that a ghost or spirit was present in a location.
Homing beacons Additionally, the system’s ability to receive GPS and other signals could allow it to act as a beacon to guide others right to the ghost hunting group.
Devices could be “hypnotized” into creating useful “evidence” The other features of AIOT devices also could be used to create evidence. For example, they have sensors that could be remotely controlled to generate fake physical phenomena such as knocking sounds and flashing lights. Similarly, their controls could be programmed to produce what seems like distorted audio during an investigation. That could enhance the image of a ghost or spirit vying to communicate with ghost hunters during a ghost hunt. This approach would be a big leap over using phony EVPs and manipulating EMF detectors.
AIOT devices are bringing immeasurably greater convenience and automation to our lives, and we can hardly live without them today. However, they should not be allowed into ghost hunting. The risks of GPS, the built-in offline speech recognition and other potential manipulative capabilities in AIOT devices far outweight what we might get out of them for ghost hunting.
Instead, we should stick with tried and true devices such as EMF detectors, EVP recorders and thermal cameras. We will still be able to enjoy a bit of the new to ensure that ghost hunting does not evolve into a mere illustration of the past for techies — who after all are an important part of its audience. AIOT devices should be avoided not just because they’re a fad, or because they can’t live up to the promises we’re already hearing but because they threaten the scientifically of the field. It’s that integrity that will let us convert them from skeptics to enthusiasts in the general public.
Exploring Non-AI Powered Options
Although some manufacturers of these devices will claim they have no intention of using these AIOT capabilities for ghost hunting, the offers may be too tempting to simply deny. The idea of being able to manipulate evidence — even if just slightly — is a troubling one for those in the paranormal field, regardless of whether they are simply interested in the unknown or if they actually are trying to produce an episode of a “reality” ghost show.
The devil, indeed, exists within the software programming code. Without it being provided to the consumer, there seems to be little oversight of whether the device is being used properly. Simply believing the builders of ghost hunting equipment that are using AIOT devices seems to be a game of Russian roulette. Even if they have every intention of doing everything above-board, the very possibility of this misuse should raise eyebrow.
The Crux Device Makers Are Missing
At the end of the day, if the intention is to use ghost hunting equipment for AIOT devices, the most important question is: Why?
There are a number of ghost hunting equipment pieces available that provide the chance for a response just as easily as these AIOT devices do — without a chance of being tempered with. Is the response better since it utilizes AI? The question device makers lax in the judgement of using AIOT in ghost hunting equipment are going to need to answer lies in what would appear to be a much simpler alternative.
Using AI as part of your ghost hunting kit does come with some considerable risks, especially in terms of how credible any evidence you collect might be. Any evidence you do collect can be solidly colored by concerns about evidence manipulation, credibility and transparency still further when you consider how companies creates software code. There are doubtless those who would argue that a mysterious app, using a mysterious cloud server promoting an app for hunting ghosts is probably not an organization that's worried too much about the ethical use of software programming code.What would be the better idea?
Looking at non-AI but still data heavy models like those by K2 electronic touch, PICCOLO EMF Music Box or the Mel Meter by DAS is still a better bet if you're truly interested in using tech to get to the bottom of any possible paranormal mysteries while keeping field integrity.