Amazon is making a bold move into the world of AI-powered wearables with its acquisition of Bee, a startup specializing in voice-driven smart wristbands.
The deal, confirmed by Bee's co-founder Maria de Lourdes Zollo on LinkedIn, signals Amazon's intent to expand beyond smart speakers like Echo and into more personal, always-listening devices. Bee's $50 bracelet and Apple Watch app record conversations to generate reminders and to-do lists—raising immediate questions about privacy, corporate data control and the future of AI surveillance in everyday life.
Bee's technology represents the next frontier in AI wearables: devices that operate in the background, passively recording and interpreting speech. Unlike traditional gadgets that require manual input, Bee's bracelet listens continuously unless muted, processing conversations to assist users with productivity. The company markets this as a seamless, companion-like experience—an "ambient intelligence" that helps users navigate their lives. (Related: Wearable tech devices collect loads of information on users that compromise their privacy.)
But this convenience comes at a cost. Always-on microphones mean devices capture not just intentional commands but also private discussions, background noise and unintended audio. While Bee claims it does not store raw recordings or use them for AI training, skeptics question whether these protections will survive under Amazon's ownership.
