Words Matter — Even When You’re Talking to AI

An unexpected call to 911 became a powerful reminder that words carry weight, especially in a world of always-listening technology.

Yesterday I was headed to a volunteer event in Clinton and trying to squeeze in one more phone call while driving. I said, “Siri, call (name of person).” Nothing happened. I tried again. Still nothing.

Frustration set in.

So, I said, “Siri, you’re killing me.”

There was no reply from Siri but suddenly my phone was dialing 911.

Not connecting the dots yet, I quickly hung up. Seconds later, my phone rang again. This time it was a Laurens County dispatcher.

That’s when things got real.

She calmly asked if I was in danger. I responded, somewhat light-heartedly, that I was not. She then asked if someone was trying to kill me. That was the moment it hit me — Siri had intentionally called 911 because of what I said.

Let that sink in for a moment.

Words matter - even when we are frustrated and speaking to a device that isn’t a person.

The dispatcher continued doing exactly what she was trained to do. She asked where I lived, where I was at that moment, and confirmed details about my location. In fact, she even knew the street I had just turned from while on my way to the event.

It took a bit of convincing to assure her that I was fine. She was professional, thorough, and clearly committed to doing her job well. Before we ended the call, she confirmed that she would relay the information to responding officers and document our conversation.

The experience was a powerful reminder.

We often say things in haste, when we’re frustrated, distracted, or in a hurry. Sometimes we toss out phrases without thinking about how they might be interpreted. Once spoken, words have a way of taking on a life of their own, and we don’t always get the chance to take them back.

This is true in personal relationships.
It’s true in the workplace.
And apparently, it’s even true when you’re talking to artificial intelligence.

Technology today is designed to listen for signals of distress and respond quickly in situations that might involve danger. In many cases, that capability saves lives. But it also means that casual phrases we use every day can trigger real-world responses.

My takeaway from yesterday was simple: choose your words carefully. Very Carefully.

Whether we are talking to a person, posting online, or even speaking to a device, words carry meaning. They have power. And sometimes, they even trigger a call to 911.

So, the next time frustration creeps in, take a breath.

Your words might be heard more literally than you think.