If you live in the NYC area, you’ll soon have the opportunity to confess your sins to a robot … so long as you don’t mind being recorded for a film project. These AI-powered pop-up confessionals will start popping up in New York in association with an upcoming documentary show by Third Party Films. The show will eventually air on HBO and will navigate the topic of artificial intelligence.
Talking to a robot rather than a human sounds more comfortable in certain ways because you know that robot isn’t going to judge you–unless it’s been programmed to be judgmental, that is! This confessional won’t be that way. According to Third Party Films’ FAQ about the project, the inside of the booth will be “stern, yet comfy,” and “there is beautiful light and a soothing voice.” The robot will listen to your confession and ask you questions, but if you don’t feel comfortable answering, you can change the subject. You can even take one other friend in there with you, if you wish.
The weirdest part of this whole thing has to be the fact that it’ll be recorded. But, hey, that would be the problem with any AI confessional, right? Robots have way better memory than humans do. Does that make them better or worse as confidants? I would guess that’s exactly what this project will endeavor to determine.
Participants who get selected to appear in the final cut of the documentary show will receive an honorarium for their efforts. If you live in NYC and you want to make an appointment to speak to the robot, sign up via their Contact form.
(via The Verge, image via Pop-Up Confessional)
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