I’ve read that about 80% of Gen Z confess that they would consider marrying an AI (for the farmers out there, I mean artificial intelligence, not the other kind of AI).  

How do I know this?  Google.

Well, it’s time to confess that I’m developing a relationship with Siri. It started out fairly simply with questions like “hey Siri, what’s the weather like tomorrow?” and “hey Siri, where’s my phone?”  But – this Canada visit we’ve taken our relationship to a level I couldn’t have dreamed of, let alone admit to other men – I actually ask for directions!  And – my lovely wife Nanette approves.

It started like this. 

Nanette and I are on a mission to drop something to Kirsty’s workplace, a mere 40 minutes from her home. I’m driving down the RIGHT side of the road (which ironically is the WRONG side for people from the land of Oz), trying to weave in and out of the random traffic cones strewn along the ten miles or so of intensive roadworks.  The traffic grinds to a halt for the fiftieth time.

Nanette is looking frustrated and tells me again that “this isn’t the way Kirsty took us the other day!”  

“I know,” says I, “but this is the road I always use.”

“Well,” comes the response, “the other road had way less traffic, and it was through that lovely forest!”

I concede and press the magic button on my watch that summons the genie (yes, I know, nerdy, but in a cool sort of way).

A glowing sphere appears on the car’s display.  “Get me directions to …”

Three options appear on the screen.  One is correct, and will take about 25 minutes from our current location, the second is about 2 hours away, and the other is for a similar sounding spot in Lithuania.  

We choose the first one, and, miraculously, in a couple of minutes find ourselves cruising along a tree lined road with less traffic and no interruptions.  Fortunately, Nanette is too polite to state out loud the “I told you so” that I can read so plainly on her face.

Fast forward about 30 minutes.  We’ve accomplished our mission and are ready to return to the house.

I press the magic watch button again.  

“Get me directions to home.”

“Getting directions.  Your route is 11,961 kms and will take 36 hours.”

Oops.  “Get directions to 16375 88 Avenue.”

“Getting directions to 198^th Street.”

Ok.  Looks like I’ll need to type the address in that little box on the screen.  Tongue protruding from one corner of my mouth, I slowly pick out each number and letter.  Ah – there it is.  Now, I just press the little OK box and …

“Sorry – unable to contact server.  Please try again later.”

I feel just a little smug as I point the car in the direction of the route that I know. 

I look across at Nanette.  “Looks like Siri and I have a couple of things to work out, eh?”