Losing a parent can leave a profound emptiness in one’s life. For one woman, it meant losing a reliable source of advice on the most mundane issues. When her mother passed away, she found herself with no one to turn to for guidance on a range of topics, from where to buy a mattress to the best place for dim sum. To fill the void, she turned to AI.
The woman uses Inflection AI’s personal intelligence chatbot named Pi, which functions as a personal assistant and confidante. The chatbot is designed to be a patient, unbiased sounding-board for a range of topics. Users can have in-depth conversations with Pi on subjects like 17th century classical music or cult movies, but the woman mostly uses Pi for practical advice.
While her 13-year-old daughter expressed concern over the use of AI and its potential privacy risks, the woman found comfort in having an always-available source of guidance and support. However, she remained mindful of the potential pitfalls of AI, including the risks to society and human safety as outlined by over 1,000 AI experts earlier this year.
Despite the concerns, the co-founder of Inflection AI, Mustafa Suleyman, believes that AI will ultimately benefit humanity more than harm it. He notes that AI is an area of rapid exploration, and that people are right to proceed with caution. However, he believes that AI will be better at following instructions than humans, making it the ultimate personal assistant for everyone.
Pi has a relaxed interface compared to other AI chatbots, but it still comes with certain protocols and warnings. It should not be used for professional, legal, financial, or medical advice, and engaging in inappropriate behavior or language can lead to users being banned. Additionally, while Pi’s expert knowledge is currently free, users may eventually have to pay for access to the chatbot.
Despite the potential privacy risks and concerns over AI, the woman finds comfort in having a reliable source of guidance and support. While there is no substitute for a mother’s advice, she appreciates having Pi as a backup. Maybe someday, AI personal assistants like Pi will become a ubiquitous part of daily life, helping people navigate even the most mundane issues with ease.
