Future You: Conversations with Your AI Elder Self

Published On Wed Jun 26 2024
Future You: Conversations with Your AI Elder Self

AI - Online graphic design magazine

This innovative project, called “Future You,” utilizes artificial intelligence to simulate conversations with an AI version of yourself at an older age. The objective is to prompt individuals to think long-term and make decisions that will benefit their future well-being.

AI Chatbot and Synthetic Memory

The system features a powerful AI chatbot based on GPT-3.5, created by Open AI, that engages users by inquiring about their life, experiences, and objectives. By gathering this information, the chatbot develops a “synthetic memory” of the user, enhancing the concept of “future self-continuity.” This psychological concept suggests that individuals who feel a connection to their future selves are more inclined to make choices that have positive long-term outcomes.

MIT Chatbot Simulates Your Future Self

Reducing Temporal Discounting

Moreover, the AI chatbot can display a digitally aged photo of the user at 60 years old, potentially reducing “temporal discounting,” which is the tendency to prioritize immediate rewards over future benefits. Initial research indicates promising results, with users reporting decreased anxiety and negativity after engaging with their future selves through AI. This indicates that “Future You” could contribute to enhanced well-being and inspire individuals to make more informed decisions for their future.

Redefining Future Orientation

The impact of the “Future You” tool extends beyond individual well-being and has the potential to reshape societal perspectives on the future. It raises the question of whether it could cultivate a society that emphasizes long-term objectives and decisions that are advantageous to both individual and collective future selves. This intriguing prospect prompts considerations regarding future orientation, societal values, and ethical implications, particularly in managing biases and safeguarding data privacy.

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