I’m a fan of the podcast Hard Fork. On the show, host Kevin Roose took on a monthlong experiment, cultivating relationships with 18 companions generated by artificial intelligence. The results were enlightening. That quirky experiment, along with OpenAI’s newest generative AI update (GPT-4o), inspired last month’s reader poll. Here are the results:
My thoughts: The poll results reflect a nuanced public sentiment towards the emerging role of generative AI in our social lives. While only 11% of respondents are definitely open to forming a friendship with an AI, a combined 53% are either unsure or open to the possibility. This suggests that while the concept of a “virtual friend” may seem alien now, we may become more open to the idea as our familiarity with generative AI grows.
Historically, America’s views on breakthrough innovations like computers and the internet transitioned from skepticism to receptivity gradually, ultimately becoming integral parts of human life.
Generative AI could be on a similar path, not merely as a technological tool but as a transformative element in people’s lives.
Thanks to all who voted! To participate in future surveys, and for access to timely news and opinion on American healthcare, sign up for my free (and ad-free) newsletter Monthly Musings on American Healthcare.
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Dr. Robert Pearl is the former CEO of The Permanente Medical Group, the nation’s largest physician group. He’s a Forbes contributor, bestselling author, Stanford University professor, and host of two healthcare podcasts. Check out Pearl’s newest book, ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine with all profits going to Doctors Without Borders.
