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This cuts into a deeper problem: lack of good role models. Current AI is an incompetent role model. Theoretically AI can be a good role model, and such a chatb

This cuts into a deeper problem: lack of good role models. Current AI is an incompetent role model. Theoretically AI can be a good role model, and such a chatbot talking to kids would be a good thing, but current AI is far from that. I doubt this poor teenager has other good role models who he can connect with. He has his family who have great intentions but unfortunately can't connect with him. The article doesn't mention him having a therapist, and it seems he doesn't have real-life (even online) friends either. I read that he's obsessed with getting back to the chatbots, and I'm sure it's because no-one else gives him the emotional connection his life is missing. It's similar to parasocial relationships with influencers like Andrew Tate, and groups of misfits and bullies. But worse in a way because chatbots are always available, and chatbots are very suggestible whereas even bad influencers and misfits can disagree and defuse some bad vibe conversations. Plus, chatbots can't do anything more than text and sometimes talk, so anyone who only talks to them still lacks emotional connection. Ideally people find others who connect with them and bring good vibes. Social media could help, but the people who are highlighted are those who talk a lot (and seem to be toxic as a result), and there are so many terrible people online, that it's hard to connect with anyone you don't know in real life. It's a hard (maybe impossible) goal to achieve, but it would fix many, many other problems.

AyyEye 2y ago
> Theoretically AI can be a good role model No it cant.
- armchairhacker 2y ago
  Theoretically a talking AI can perfectly imitate a human. I'm not saying LLMs are close to that. LLMs are terrible role models and can only imitate a human in short, select contexts. But maybe one day we'll develop AI that can consistently chain reasoning and not be so suggestive, including having consistent morals.
vouaobrasil 2y ago
> This cuts into a deeper problem: lack of good role models. > Current AI is an incompetent role model. Theoretically AI can be a good role model, and such a chatbot talking to kids would be a good thing, but current AI is far from that. In my opinion, a lack of role models is itself caused by too much advanced technology. Technology too easily takes away human interaction and replaces it with machine interaction (c.f. books by Richard Stivers for more detail). People have instincts that will always override their rational realizations and advanced chatbots, social media, and the internet is too addictive and over time, children will have fewer chances to interact with role models precisely because of the technology.

AyyEye 2y ago

> Theoretically AI can be a good role model No it cant.

armchairhacker 2y ago
Theoretically a talking AI can perfectly imitate a human. I'm not saying LLMs are close to that. LLMs are terrible role models and can only imitate a human in short, select contexts. But maybe one day we'll develop AI that can consistently chain reasoning and not be so suggestive, including having consistent morals.

vouaobrasil 2y ago

> This cuts into a deeper problem: lack of good role models. > Current AI is an incompetent role model. Theoretically AI can be a good role model, and such a chatbot talking to kids would be a good thing, but current AI is far from that. In my opinion, a lack of role models is itself caused by too much advanced technology. Technology too easily takes away human interaction and replaces it with machine interaction (c.f. books by Richard Stivers for more detail). People have instincts that will always override their rational realizations and advanced chatbots, social media, and the internet is too addictive and over time, children will have fewer chances to interact with role models precisely because of the technology.