SUMMARY
There have been amazing advances in artificial intelligence with software and robots that listen and respond to human conversation with a kind of realism rarely seen before. That's both exciting and disturbing to experts about what it can mean for connection and loneliness. Paul Solman tried making some connections of his own.
View the transcript of the story.
News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- Who made an AI version of himself in introduced in the first part of the segment?
- Why did Reid Hoffman build Reid AI?
- How might AI allow for more human connection, according to Hoffman?
- What are some of the reasons Jerry Kaplan thinks that using AI to simulate human interaction is a bad idea?
- When did Eugenia Kuyda create a chatbot? What inspired her creation?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Do you think AI can help people experiencing isolation, depression or loneliness? Or do you think it's more likely to make those problems worse? Why do you think so?
Media literacy: Examine the following graphic and discuss. Why do you think more than half of respondents said they were more concerned than excited about AI in their daily life?
Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?
FOR MORE
What students can do: Learn more to stay informed about AI, such as in this video clip about Geoffrey Hinton, the "Godfather of AI," discussing the dangers AI may pose to society.
Fill out this form to share your thoughts on Classroom’s resources.
