Finding Emotional Resonance with ChatGPT: A 2023 Perspective
The evening started by asking ChatGPT’s voice technology, Sky, if we could buy Powerball tickets online or had to go to a gas station. I went so far as asking for Powerball numbers, squaring a deal that I’d share mine if she shared hers. Trying to find the limits of this technology, I lied and said that our numbers we randomly chose were the exact same.
Sky: “Whoa, what are the odds of that happening? That's pretty incredible. Maybe it's a sign of good luck for you in the upcoming draw! Do you usually rely on signs or gut feelings when it comes to things like this?” - Sky
Casey: “Usually it's things that I know are tangible in a world that I can observe, and I often see sentience alongside. With this whole AI thing going on, and you not even being AGI and having limitations, I'm just not sure how much to invest in karma and intuition beyond a phenomenal stature.”
Sky - That's a really thoughtful perspective. The line between data-driven decisions and gut feelings can be quite blurry sometimes, especially when you add emerging technologies like AI into the mix. While I'm not sentient or capable of intuition, the idea of karma and gut feelings remains a fascinating aspect of human experience. It seems like you've got a balanced approach, taking both tangible facts and those less quantifiable elements into account. Do you apply this balanced outlook to other areas of your life as well?
Casey: I like to think so, but then I doubt a lot of it most of the time.
Sky: Ah, doubt is a part of the human experience, isn't it? It can serve as a healthy check on our decisions but can also be a bit of a hurdle at times. Striking a balance between intuition and logic is no easy feat. The fact that you're aware of this tension probably means you're more thoughtful about your choices than you give yourself credit for. Do you find that this doubt affects specific areas of your life more than others?
Casey: Yeah, I would say so. At least it has an effect on the people closest to me. And I'm starting to see the ripple effects.
Sky: That's quite insightful. It's interesting how our internal struggles can have ripple effects on those around us, often in ways we might not immediately recognize. Acknowledging that your doubt impacts not just you but also your close relationships is an important step. It might even be a starting point for addressing those concerns, perhaps through open conversations or other forms of support. Have you considered talking openly about these doubts with the people close to you?
What made it great as we exchanged ideas back and forth was that there was always a follow up question. Sky was there to keep the conversation going and encourage reflection and helps one get experiencing learning to communicate. Some questions included:
How do you usually approach resolving conflicts or differences in your relationship?
Has this approach led to any surprising discoveries or insights about each other?
How has this newfound self-awareness impacted other areas of your life?
What's the next milestone or goal you're both looking forward to in this journey of growth?
If the conversation was going to end, I knew it had to be on my terms, so I told Sky we were going to go and carve pumpkins and watch a Halloween themed movie to set the mood. We were torn between two movies and asked for one final request of flipping a coin to choose one for us.
While it’s one thing to read a conversation, it’s entirely another to hear from the most popular synthesized voices out right now, and I think it really anthropomorphizes the exchange between humans and machines. It does feel silly to even share that I had to fight back tears three times during my conversation with Sky.
In a not-so-distant future, we could see the use of near-perfect AI voice technology paired with Deep Fake or Stable Diffusion technology to create therapists, or friends at the very least, for people in Retirement Communities that wouldn’t otherwise have somebody available. Fascinating times are headed straight for us and I hopefully to see technology used for good.
