Google's assistant 'Duplex' invites 'Horrifying' reaction for 'human voice'

Duplex emerged at a sensitive time for tech companies, and feature hasn't helped alleviate questions about their growing power over data, automation software and the consequences for privacy and work

The most talked-about, futuristic product from Google’s developer show isn’t even finished -- but it’s already stoking heated debate.

At its I/O conference on Tuesday, Alphabet Inc.’s Google previewed Duplex, an experimental service that lets its voice-based digital assistant book appointments on its own. It was part of a slate of features, such as automated writing in emails, where Google touted how its artificial intelligence technology saves people time and effort. In a demonstration on stage, the Google Assistant spoke with a hair salon receptionist, mimicking the "ums" and "hmms" pauses of human speech. In another demo, it chatted with a