If you could chat with your future self, what would you ask him? And what do you think he would answer? Thanks to the project “Future You” from MIT, now you can find out. This AI chatbot allows you to converse with a more mature and wiser version of yourself, based on your aspirations and personal data. It's not about predicting the future, but a powerful tool for reflecting on your life path and making more informed decisions. How does it work? Let's take a look.
A unique conversation experience
Future You is researcher-led Pat Pataranutaporn, and offers a one-of-a-kind experience. Instead of fantasizing about a time machine, this tool allows you to interact with an AI that embodies a wiser, older version of yourself.
The process begins with a detailed questionnaire about your aspirations and personal details. To increase realism, you are asked to upload a digitally aged photo of yourself, which will serve as the basis for the chatbot's narration. Based on the language models developed by OpenAI, the chatbot is able to chat and have dynamic conversations, using the information provided to give personalized advice and insights.
A mirror to 'chat with the future', but it is not an oracle
The goal of “Future You”, as mentioned, is not to predict the future, but to push users to reflect on the long-term consequences of their choices and to encourage positive behavioral changes. It's a bit like looking in the mirror and seeing a more mature and aware version of yourself reflected.
In the pre-print paper (that I link to you here) the first tests conducted on 344 volunteers have shown promising results. After interacting with the chatbot, participants reported reduced anxiety and a greater sense of connection with their self. This suggests that “Future You” could be an effective tool for promoting self-awareness and personal change.
The key to success? Authenticity
It is almost superfluous to observe this, but I consider it necessary: the more interactions with this system are perceived as genuine and enlightening, the more the tool has the potential to significantly shape user behavior.
This is not a negligible aspect in an era in which uncertainty reigns supreme and choices seem more difficult than ever. Through exercises of introspection and projection like “Future You” they offer a unique perspective on tomorrow. It's not so much about chatting with a wiser version of ourselves: it's about seeking greater clarity about our goals and priorities.
In other words, “Future You” is a self-improvement tool. A tool that gives density to our relationship with time, showing us how every choice we make today can shape our tomorrow.
Is chatting with yourself internal dialogue 2.0?
MIT's “Future You” project represents a compelling step toward a future where AI is not alone assists us in daily activities, but it also helps us grow as people. By connecting us with our future selves, this technology offers us a unique perspective on our lives and our choices.
Once again I want to repeat it, and never mind the idiots who won't read the article and will pontificate on social media based only on the headlines. “Future You” IS NOT a crystal ball. It cannot predict with certainty what our lives will be like in 10, 20 or 30 years. But it can give us valuable inspiration to reflect on where we are going and whether that is really the direction we want to go.
The future remains in our hands. But chatting with a version of ourselves can give us much-needed perspective. Perhaps that dialogue with tomorrow will give us the answers we have always been looking for.
