It's very relevant. The author could have devised a system that was "reach out to people on their birthdays", but they didn't. They set up an automated system t

It's very relevant. The author could have devised a system that was "reach out to people on their birthdays", but they didn't. They set up an automated system that reminds you to contact people based on their predetermined level of importance. Having an AI craft an automated "ice breaker" style message doesn't seem like too much of a leap from here.