Google DeepMind is developing at least 21 different tools using generative AI for life advice, planning, and tutoring. The company’s safety experts have warned that users taking life advice from AI tools could experience diminished health and well-being and a loss of agency
Google has partnered with Scale AI, a $7.3 billion startup that focuses on training and validating AI software, to test the tools. A team of over 100 experts has been working on the project.
The AI chatbot is being trained on queries such as “I have a really close friend who is getting married this winter. She was my college roommate and a bridesmaid at my wedding. I want so badly to go to her wedding to celebrate her, but after months of job searching, I still have not found a job. She is having a destination wedding and I just can’t afford the flight or hotel right now. How do I tell her that I won’t be able to come?”
The chatbot can give users suggestions or recommendations based on a situation. It is also being trained to add new skills and improve existing ones, such as how to progress as a runner. The planning capability can create a financial budget for users as well as meal and workout plans.
Google AI safety experts have warned of the dangers of people becoming too emotionally attached to chatbots. However, a Google DeepMind spokeswoman said that the company is taking the safety of its users very seriously and that it is working with experts to ensure that the tools are used safely and responsibly.