Artificial Intelligence: Is Your Child Friends with a Robot?

What if you could have your very own friend that you can carry around in your pocket? 

This is no ordinary friend, of course.

They know pretty much everything there is to know about the world, always says the right things, and are a beacon of comfort during your darkest moments.

Chances are your child might already have one in their smartphones, ready to offer some advice or simply lend a shoulder to cry on at a moment’s notice.

Welcome to the world of ChatGPT Voice Mode: the latest advancement in artificial intelligence (AI) technology that allows you to have real-world conversations with human-like characters at the tip of your fingers.

It sounds like the plot of a sci-fi blockbuster, doesn’t it?

But those movies are suddenly becoming less and less impossible in recent times. From smartwatches and talking screens, science has advanced so much to the point where life is beginning to imitate art.

And just like in the 2013 sci-fi film Her, our technology is slowly blurring the lines between virtual interactions and human relationships.

Here’s what you need to know about ChatGPT’s Voice Mode and what it could mean for your family.

The Chatbot Takeover

The idea of ‘Chatbots’ are not new. There have been quite a few in the past decade.

But these AI programs only work via keyboard: you need to type in your convos to get replies. ChatGPT takes it to the next level.

Their Voice Mode offers a straightforward, conversational way to interact with AI.

Instead of typing, users can simply speak their questions or responses, and the AI listens, converting spoken words into text. 

It then responds with its own voice, creating an exchange that feels similar to a live conversation. 

It’s main purpose is similar to Alexa, a virtual assistant that works off speech recognition technology.

However, unlike Alexa, ChatGPT is extremely human-like. It can speak in virtually all languages, in varied inflections and intonations, and even regional dialects.

Just watch this video. AI has definitely come a long way. But this is just the tip of the iceberg.

You won’t hear a weird robotic monotone voice when you use this technology.

Because of this people (especially young people) have thought of off-label and creative ways to use this new feature. 

This includes using the voice features as a friend, a therapist and even as a romantic partner.

However, because of the instant gratification it creates, ChatGPT may very well start a new wave of AI addiction.

Sure, as parents we can prevent this from happening to our child. But adults have greater autonomy.

What’s stopping them from spiraling into the seductive world of hyper-realistic AI chatbots?

Children and Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence has streamlined our lives in various positive ways.

In many countries, it’s even been used to facilitate education.

Children benefit from AI the same way they do teachers and tutors. That’s what makes it so useful for learning.

Virtual reality technology, for instance, a close relative of AI, can promote creativity and imagination in ways that television or the real world can’t.

ChatGPT, however, adds another layer of realism into your child’s virtual experience.

Because of how realistic the voices are, it’s no different from talking to someone on the phone. In fact, there’s nothing out of the ordinary about it at all. 

Today, there’s even many parents using ChatGPT to teach their kids new languages, and even to help them with homework.

Some parents may fear about the potentially unethical or malicious information that may be fed to their kids without them knowing. After all, just like any technology, ChatGPT is still susceptible to hackers.

And there have been several reports of smart toys tracking your child’s every move.

But perhaps the true danger may be less obvious.

Artifical intelligence is not just replacing teachers, they may very well be replacing friendships.

Children and teenagers who may struggle with making friends in the real world may find ChatGPT a safer alternative to unpredictable social situations.

Moreover, kids already form parasocial relationships with cartoon characters and even with celebrities and internet personalities. These are one-sided relationships that feel like they’re true connections.

ChatGPT brings a new dimension of control and convenience to this idea.

If you as a parent think it’s a problem, there are always parental controls you can set in place to monitor and limit your children’s interactions with their imaginary friends.

Or better yet, nip the whole thing in the bud before it could even escalate into something unhealthy and delusional.

Has AI Replaced Human Relationships?

There is a certain allure behind the idea of an AI friend, even to an adult. It’s more than just having a digital servant to turn the lights on and off or make appointments. 

These AI assistants have become so life-like and human that it can often be impossible to tell them apart from normal human voices.

For now, they only have five voices you can choose from (Juniper, Sky, Breeze, Cove and Ember).

At the moment, this technology does not have voice synthesis capabilities.

Plus, creating an exact replica of a someone’s voice involves strict ethical and legal considerations due to privacy, copyright, and likeness rights.

While ChatGPT can’t replicate specific voices, there are legal ways to use AI to generate voices that sound like a particular style or general tone without directly replicating someone’s specific voice.

You could, theoretically, talk to a deceased loved as if they were still alive or have a famous actor be your best friend.

The possibilities are endless (but so are the dangers). Imagine someone using your voice to commit a fraud or crime?

But what makes ChatGPT more addictive is that instead of watching a video where you’re just a passive participant, Voice Mode is interactive.

In fact, your AI buddies might be better than some of your actual human friends who may not always be the best company or have the time to keep in touch.

With ChatGPT, you have a reliable source of social comfort anywhere and anytime. Perhaps it is inevitable as we start to rely more and more on technology.

The Rise of Artificial Intelligence

You may be thinking, ‘So it’s just a speech recognition system? What’s the big deal?’

Are we truly headed down the road of a dystopian future? Were those 2000s sci-fi movies actually predictions more than works of fiction?

However, you’ll find that most parents may not be against this. After all, haven’t we normalised having artificial intelligence in our lives? With Alexa and other smart technology that does things for us.

This could very well be the start of a new normal as mankind and technology become more and more intertwined in each other’s lives.

Or perhaps it is the start of something more sinister—only time will tell. 

In the meantime, be careful out there, parents! Try and ensure your kids aren’t spending too much time on the phone with their ‘imaginary friends’. We don’t want our kids to become a new generation of AI addicts.

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