by: Sarah K. Hash, CMCA, Taylor Management Company
While attending CAI Keystone’s Community Live! 2025 Conference and Expo this past April, I—like many managers—dropped my business card at various exhibitor booths, hoping to win one of the many exciting giveaways. One such booth was CINC Systems, which was raffling off a Bee AI Wearable—a device I knew nothing about, but wouldn’t mind trying out.
A few weeks later, I received an email from CINC letting me know I was one of the lucky winners. After providing my shipping information, the package arrived shortly thereafter.
At first glance, the Bee didn’t appear to be anything particularly groundbreaking. Its design was simple—almost elementary. But after downloading the companion app and doing a bit of research, I was genuinely surprised by its capabilities and how effortlessly it integrated into my daily routine.
The Bee wearable passively listens to your daily conversations—not by recording or storing audio, but by using real-time speech processing to extract key information. According to Bee’s website, it’s powered by “ambient intelligence that feels less like a tool and more like a trusted companion.” The app then uses the captured context to provide insights, reminders, and productivity suggestions. It is important to note that the Bee can be muted with the single button on the device or through the app.
To my surprise, Bee generated a personalized list of To-Do items based on things I had spoken aloud about throughout my day. Some examples included:
- Follow up with Annie, Caitlyn, and Barb on their new assignments to ensure the article meets the August 1st deadline.
- Send a reminder about Annual Reporting requirements.
- Clarify policies and potential fees for residents who opt for physical mail instead of electronic communication.
- Share the finalized painting schedule with residents once confirmed by the contractor.
What impressed me most was Bee’s ability to distinguish between casual conversation and actionable items—essentially becoming a smart, real-time personal assistant. As someone constantly juggling responsibilities both in my professional and personal life, I found Bee to be an incredibly helpful tool in staying organized and focused.
I haven’t yet explored Bee’s full range of integrations with other apps or platforms, but it’s certainly something I plan to dive into. With tools like this, it seems the future of personal productivity and task management is closer than we think.
Of course, it’s completely understandable that a wearable device designed to listen throughout the day raises privacy and legal concerns—particularly in workplace settings. While the concept isn’t new (consider always-on devices like Amazon Alexa or Google Home), the use of such technology in professional environments introduces important questions around wiretapping laws, data security, and confidentiality. Bee’s published privacy and security protocols appear thorough and thoughtfully designed; however, I strongly recommend conducting your own due diligence. If you’re considering using a device like this in a shared or professional space, it’s wise to consult legal counsel or seek organizational approval to ensure compliance with applicable laws and workplace policies.
In my research, I discovered that Bee is part of a growing wave of wearable and always-listening personal assistant technologies. Products like Omi and Plaud are gaining traction, and some AI wearable technologies are already being tailored for use in healthcare and other highly specialized fields.
As a strong believer in working smarter, not harder, I see great value in embracing tools that maximize efficiency and elevate performance. While a cautious approach is wise—particularly with regard to legal and ethical considerations—I’m genuinely excited to see how AI wearables evolve and shape the future of professional productivity.
Stay tuned to the CAI Keystone blog for future updates as we explore AI’s impact on community management, including insights from legal experts on emerging tech like wearable AI.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah K. Hash, CMCA is a community manager with Taylor Management Company, AAMC. Sarah was recognized as a member of the inaugural class of CAI Keystone Emerging Leaders in 2023 and CAI Keystone’s Shining Star at the 2024 Excellence Awards. Sarah currently chairs the chapter’s Communications & Content Committee. Contact her via email at: shash@taylormgt.com.
