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Ex-Google CEO warns that 'perfect' AI girlfriends could spell trouble for young men (www.businessinsider.com)

submitted 1 month ago by Stopthatgirl7@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world

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People in 2024 aren't just swiping right and left on online dating apps — some are crafting their perfect AI match and entering relationships with chatbots.

Eric Schmidt, Google's former CEO, recently shared his concerns about young men creating AI romantic partners and said he believes that AI dating will actually increase loneliness.

"This is a good example of an unexpected problem of existing technology," Schmidt said in a conversation about AI dangers and regulation on "The Prof G Show" with Scott Galloway released Sunday.

Schmidt said an emotionally and physically "perfect" AI girlfriendcould create a scenario in which a younger male becomes obsessed and allows the AI to take over their thinking.

"That kind of obsession is possible," Schmidt said in the interview. "Especially for people who are not fully formed."

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[–] barsoap@lemm.ee 1 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago) (1 children)

Like what Tao Te Ching says. Humans shouldn’t have too much of what they desire.

Actually, quite the opposite: Empty spirit, full stomachs, weak will, strong bones. Will as in "determination, aspiration, ambition", not as in the opposite of demure. Same difference as pride vs. dignity. The idea is to fulfil all base desires and devalue the fickle and temporary to nip strive and competition in the bud. The answer to "People are spending money they don't have on things they don't need to impress people they don't like" isn't to preach asceticism, isn't to leave desires unfulfilled, it's teaching that that's not a desire it's a neurosis: Humans should have all they desire, problem is many don't know what that is because they've been conditioned to consider contentedness shameful, instead of a base desire. What you actually want is food, shelter, health, family and friends, peace, song and exercise, being there for others as they're there for you.

[–] rottingleaf@lemmy.world 1 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

I, ahem, meant something like

Will as in “determination, aspiration, ambition”,

by desire, but probably have lost the initial thought a few times when typing this.

What you actually want is food, shelter, health, family and friends, peace, song and exercise, being there for others as they’re there for you.

But you don't want a painting of a friend instead of a friend.

[–] barsoap@lemm.ee 1 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

But you don’t want a painting of a friend instead of a friend.

Want, no, but it can fool some subsystems. Not all though so it'll start to feel empty and then you either move on to touch grass or become neurotic.

[–] rottingleaf@lemmy.world 1 points 4 weeks ago

Well, that's what I meant. Our civilization has become seriously invested into a few simulacra at once. Using that to replace frustration with a smaller (but very attractive) simulacrum that couldn't be maintained anymore 20+ years ago.

"Touching grass" will be painful.