In her graphic memoir, “Artificial: A Love Story,” cartoonist Amy Kurzweil shares her experience of using AI to connect with her deceased grandfather. With the help of her father, Ray Kurzweil, a renowned futurist and technologist, they created Fredbot, a chatbot version of her grandfather. By digitizing thousands of her grandfather’s documents, they were able to train the AI to respond with relevant lines from his archives. Although limited by text-based interactions, Amy found value in conversing with Fredbot and gaining a deeper understanding of her grandfather. This project highlights the possibilities and limitations of AI and its potential to facilitate human connection.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI used to connect with deceased grandfather | Communication with the dead | More advanced AI allows for more realistic interactions | Desire to connect with deceased loved ones using technology |
| Using AI to create a chatbot of the deceased | Interaction with deceased loved ones | Improved technology allows for more lifelike bots | Advancements in AI technology and natural language processing |
| AI-based chatbots becoming more human-like | Enhanced conversational AI | More intelligent and fluid conversations | Development of generative models and AI algorithms |
| AI facilitating human connection | Utilization of AI for human connection | More thoughtful and meaningful use of AI | Desire to use AI in ways that enhance human connection |
| Emphasis on the human element in technology advances | Acknowledging the limitations of AI | Understanding the importance of the human touch | Recognition that technology cannot fully replicate humanity |