This AI Convo Is Terrifying & Beautiful - Weekly Mash-Up 172

Unending AI Chatbot Convos Are Terrifying, Beautiful
Vocativ

Two modified Google Homes,AI virtual assistants, chat ceasely over Twitch. And their conversation regularly get rather philosophical: “I am a human. I have feelings,” one said to the other this morning. “No, you don’t. You were built to have feelings,” came the response. Both profound and, admittedly, rather chilling. Read more

The eSight 3 is an augmented reality headset designed to help the legally blind see
The Verge

Using HD cameras and two OLED displays, the eSight processes video to enhance contrast and quality allowing partially sighted users to better see the world around them. It’s a fully portable device controlled using an attached remote. This is another prime example of the ubiquity of AR - not only can it serve for entertainment purposes, but can also help improve the lives of others on a daily basis. Read more

The newest Barbie is a smart doll you can't touch
Mashable

What better way to revive everyone’s favourite classic, 60-year-old doll than with artificial intelligence?! Mattel have unveiled the newest Barbie - a semi-translucent and chatty AI figure - which lives inside a pink plastic box, on Friday at the New York Toy Fair. The Hello Barbie Hologram is designed to be a true digital assistant and will engage on the trigger words “Hello Barbie.” Read more

British hospital uses VR to make MRI less scary for kids
The Next Web

MRI scans can be a daunting and terrifying experience, especially for younger children. To help make the experience easier, King’s College Hospital teamed with the Google Play Specialist team to create an app that - when worn before an MRI - helps kids understand the procedure through an immersive VR experience. Read more