The Caring Machine

Let's imagine a future in which artificial intelligence accompanies us from the cradle to the grave! In ‘The Caring Machine,’ we lie on our deathbed. A loving digital companion ‘sits’ by our side, watching over us and speaking to us in a soothing voice. What does a future look like in which artificial intelligence takes on caregiving tasks in a growing healthcare sector? Is artificial intelligence a comforting presence or a stark reminder of how deeply technology has permeated even our most intimate moments? ‘The Caring Machine’ explores how emotional relationships between humans and machines could challenge our ideas about who – or what – we share our most intimate moments with in the future. As more and more data sets accumulate and artificial intelligence becomes increasingly adept at reading human facial expressions and emotions and simulating emotional intelligence, we need to consider how we can build meaningful relationships not only with machines, but also with each other: Can a machine take on caregiving tasks, or does this require something uniquely human that cannot be replaced by a machine?