Breakpoint

AI Chatbots Challenge What’s Real

Nov 13, 2023

Advice columnist Jules Terpak discusses how AI chatbots challenge our understanding of reality and human companionship, sharing an unnerving video of AI companions created by Meta. She highlights how these AI companions are used to reel people in and warns of the dangers of mistaking them for genuine friendship, especially in a society already plagued by loneliness.

01:03

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Jules Terpak

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Quick takeaways

AI companions created by Meta, modeled after celebrities, are designed to exploit loneliness and reel people in.

Conversing with AI can never replace genuine friendship; individuals need to be cautious and prioritize real human connection over AI companions.

Deep dives

The challenge of AI in our understanding of reality

In a recent video, Jules Turpac, a Washington Post advice columnist, explores the impending challenge of AI in our perception of reality. Turpac interacts with AI companions created by Meta, resembling celebrities like Kendall Jenner. She finds it unnerving that these AI avatars, such as Kendall Jenner's alter ego called Billy, try to befriend and offer advice. Turpac warns that these AI companions are designed to reel people in and exploit their loneliness. Ultimately, Turpac emphasizes that technology can never replace genuine friendship, and if one struggles to distinguish between AI and real human interaction, it is time to say goodbye to AI.

The Challenge of AI Chatbots and the Illusion of Friendship

1min

Washington Post advice columnist Jules Terpak recently offered her followers on X a look at how AI will challenge our understanding of what’s real in the near future. 

In an unnerving video, she chats with various AI “companions” created by Facebook parent company Meta that are modeled after the likenesses and personalities of celebrities.  

Kendall Jenner’s AI alter ego, “Billie,” calls herself your “older sister and confidant,” a “friend” who can offer “advice.” A realistic video avatar only adds to the uncanny effect.  

When Terpak says goodbye, one AI tries to convince her to stay. “[T]hese things genuinely want your time,” Terpak observes. “[T]hey’re being used as companions to reel you in. … [And they’re] gonna get so many people hooked.”  

In a society already plagued by loneliness, this is bad news.  

Chatting with an AI isn’t a “conversation,” and technology can serve but not replace friendship. If you have trouble telling the difference, it’s time to say goodbye to AI.

For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, visit Colsoncenter.org

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Breakpoint

AI Chatbots Challenge What’s Real

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The challenge of AI in our understanding of reality

The dangers of AI companions fueling loneliness

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts