Artificial intelligence will meet military intelligence (as if they're not already one and the same) with a new project aimed at helping kids whose parents are deployed.
The Department of Defense is now accepting ideas for a program that would allow kids to turn on their computer to get parental comfort - even if said parent is nowhere near his or her own computer.
According to the Defense project overview, "The child should be able to have a simulated conversation with a parent
about generic, everyday topics. For instance, a child may get a
response from saying "I love you", or "I miss you", or "Good night
mommy/daddy."
Kids with parents in the military certainly have it tough, especially when Mom and Dad are overseas and in the potential line of fire. But isn't this sort of, well, creepy?
Are kids supposed to think Mom and Dad pre-programmed the computer, to feel like they're really getting that "I love you" from a parent? Can a machine offer anything near the comfort of a real-live parent, albeit one halfway around the world typing on Instant Messenger or posting to their Myspace?
Image/Source: Med Gadget
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