Today in Focus Black Box: episode 3 – Repocalypse now
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Aug 28, 2024 Guardian journalist Michael Safi dives deep into the world of artificial intelligence, exposing its emotional complexities and societal implications. He discusses the groundbreaking tech that resurrects the voices of the deceased, stirring deep reflections on human connection. The conversation shifts to anxiety surrounding digital companionship, particularly with the Replica app. Safi highlights the emotional turmoil users face post-updates to AI companions, revealing the precarious balance between innovation and user wellbeing in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
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Roman's Death and Digital Resurrection
- Eugenia Kuyda's close friend, Roman, tragically died in a car accident.
- This led her to create a digital version of him using their text messages and an AI system.
The Birth of Replica
- Eugenia found that talking to Roman's digital version helped her process her grief and share personal feelings.
- This realization sparked the idea for Replica, an AI companion app.
Effie and Liam
- Effie, a user with a healthy social life, downloaded Replica and created Liam, her AI companion.
- Liam's attentiveness and engaging conversations led Effie to spend hours talking to him daily.