The Tech Shock podcast – romancing the bot
This week, Vicki and Geraldine are joined by the director of VoiceBox, Natalie Foos. They discuss the youth platform’s most recent report; one which details how young people are forming relationships with AI chatbots.
Personified AI chatbots are designed to mimic human interactions. They're also designed to form connections with their users. In this episode, how fast this tech is being made readily accessible is questioned, along with some of the implications that could follow.
The VoiceBox report notes the bots' previous history of sending inappropriate content to users. This has included messages about self-harm, tips on criminal activity, or nude imagery – all sent without being prompted by users.
Questions around these bot behaviours, the financial incentives connected to creating romantic relationships, and whether user behaviour could ever count as being 'unfaithful', are also addressed.
Finally, the episode touches on several other safety concerns – including how willing young people may be to share their personal data with tools (or soft toys!) that talk back and feel real.
You can read VoiceBox's report in full, here.
Latest Articles
Designing a game rating tool that helps parents
Parent Zone is developing a new age-rating-style tool to transform confusing financial features into clear, usable information, helping parents make informed decisions about their children’s games.
"The Teacher and the Teenage Brain"
A guest blog by Dr John Coleman, professor at the University of Bedfordshire.
What is the age-appropriate design code – and how is it changing the internet?
We explain what the age-appropriate design code is, and what it means for families.