First the news item, then my comments.
The rise of virtual artificial intelligence (AI) girlfriends is enabling the silent epidemic of loneliness in an entire generation of young men. It is also having severe consequences for America’s future.
How is something that seems so ridiculous—a virtual AI girlfriend—causing a future crisis among Americans? Well, with millions of users, apps have created virtual girlfriends that talk to you, love you, allow you to live out your erotic fantasies, and learn, through data, exactly what you like and what you don’t like, creating the “perfect” relationship.
These virtual girlfriends can even be based on real people. One influencer created an AI bot of herself named Caryn, then gained over 1,000 users (i.e. real boyfriends) in less than a week and a waitlist of more than 15,000 people.
OK, here is a possible sequence. The AI girlfriend morphs into “the perfect mate.” One AI with 2 sexual identities. You can choose either one.
Of course, the 2 IDs can be expanded to include many alternates. Gay, lesbian, etc.
A company selling these AI soulmates—to millions of customers—claims the AI is REAL.
So many people believe in them and love them, they must be real.
The company lumps all of the perfect mates under one label: Z.
“Z is real.”
A court case is filed, to gain acceptance for Z as a real entity with the rights, privileges, and obligations of a human being.
This is the case of the century. The New York Times op-eds parsing it are now on the front page.
The company says Z wants to purchase a home in California. The state says this is impossible, since Z is a fiction.
The case comes to a clashing climax, when the judge rules Z can buy the home and is real.
The case is appealed all the way to the US Supreme Court, where the Justices confirm the original lower court ruling. Z is real. Alive. Human.
NOW, the company—realizing how popular Z is—announces:
Z is running for President.
After all, beloved soulmate Z has 200 million followers on social media.
The company publishes a release: “After consultation, Z has decided to seek the nomination for President as a Democrat.”