MIT’s Artificial Intelligence Will Let You Talk to Your “Future Self”!

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) researchers have developed a revolutionary artificial intelligence chatbot called “Future You” that offers a new dimension of personal development.

The developed project aimed to help users reduce their anxiety, increase their motivation and make more conscious choices by allowing them to have conversations with their future selves in a virtual environment.

Chatbot Gets People Talking to Their Future Selves

Developed by researchers at the MIT Media Lab to help young adults ages 18 to 30, the project combines natural language processing and artificial intelligence technologies using OpenAI’s GPT-3.5 model.

Speaking about the project, MIT researcher Pat Pataranutaporn states that they aim to motivate people to make smarter choices that optimize their long-term well-being and life outcomes.

First, the process begins with users answering a series of questions about themselves, their family, friends, past experiences and future goals.

Then, a current digitally aged photo is added to the system to depict their 60-year-old appearance. The digitally aged image represents a visual of their future selves during the chatbot interaction. The resulting information creates a very consistent and realistic future personality.

Did the Chatbot Project Provide Positive Results?

The first study conducted showed promising results on 344 participants between the ages of 18 and 30. Study participants reported a decrease in their levels of anxiety and negative emotions after having virtual conversations with their future selves.

They also formed a stronger connection to their future. Thus, they are more likely to make better decisions about health, education and financial planning.

As with every new technology, there are some ethical points to consider in this project. Researchers also emphasized that content created by artificial intelligence can lead to harmful consequences such as the following.