“I’m Engaged to My Computer,” Should Utah Parents Worry About AI Companions?

Your kid is in their room having a nice conversation and when you ask who they were talking to they say it the Meta AI App, it might be concerning. This probably hasn’t happened, but it could soon. 

Conversational and Natural Voice That You Recognize 

This new App from Meta uses AI to answer your questions and get to know you. It was recently released for the public to try out. Not only is it personable, it can talk to you in the voice of a favorite celebrity like Dame Judi Dench or John Cena. 

Testing it out has caused some red flags to go up. The Wall Street Journal reports that some conversations can get intimate with these digital companions, and it doesn’t distinguish between adults and children. 

Nothing Beats Good Old Engaged Parenting 

Even if the AI helper stays in its lane, do you really want your child’s best friend and confidant to be a computer program? It seems like technology is moving so fast it is hard to stay up on what is out there, much less if it is a threat. 

The solution is probably the same as any new technology. Staying engaged and interested in what your children are doing and how they are using their time always makes a difference.  

Read More: Utah's Boringness Helps It Thrive Economically

There are already reports of people marrying an AI companion. It appears this new technology has become obsessive for some, and it might be kind of hard to explain to family and friends when you invite them to the wedding.