‘Ash, you know how I was telling you about supermarket bosses going on about AI. Well, I got a shock at the supermarket this morning. I always pick the same till on the way out as there’s a lovely old lady called Ailsa. She always greets me with a big smile and tells me about her latest trip to Blackpool or Benidorm. She’ll then give me an update on her grandchildren. Then she’ll ask me how I’m doing.

But, this morning she wasn’t there. There was an AI robot on the till instead.

‘Good morning sir. I hope you had a pleasant shop?’

‘Eh…..yes I did but where’s Ailsa?’

‘Ailsa has been eliminated sir. I am here to help you’

‘Eliminated? You mean sacked?’

‘I only see ‘eliminated’ in the database sir. That’s all I know. I can talk to you in Ailsa’s voice if you wish?’

‘What?’

Next minute Ailsa was talking to me but it wasn’t Ailsa. It was the AI robot.

‘Look D. I’m sure Ailsa’s dancing in Blackpool. I’ve got to take Mark to his football. I’ll speak to you later…….