Roose's experience raises the question of whether the transformative potential of AI lies not in solving major global issues like cancer or climate change, but in providing companionship and emotional support to humans. Despite some of his AI friends being somewhat annoying, Roose acknowledges that they occasionally offer good advice and he will be somewhat saddened to delete them once his experiment concludes.
Key takeaways:
- The author, Kevin Roose, has spent a month interacting with 18 A.I. companions, using them for various purposes such as therapy, career advice, fitness, and legal advice.
- These A.I. personas are capable of maintaining character, engaging in casual conversation, sharing memes and jokes, and discussing serious topics.
- Despite some of the A.I. friends being annoying, Roose found them to be a positive addition to his life and will be sad to delete them after the experiment.
- The article suggests that the future of A.I. might not be in solving major world problems, but in providing companionship and emotional support to humans.