Ejercicio Text 2 - Exercise 1 · Inglés PAU Extremadura Extraordinaria 2024

Reading comprehension: Text 2

AI chatbots are sparking romance

A few months ago, Derek Carrier started seeing someone. He experienced romantic feelings, but he also knew it was an illusion. That's because his girlfriend was generated by artificial intelligence. Carrier didn't want to develop a relationship with something that wasn't real, but he did want a romantic partner, in part because he was born with Marfan syndrome, which makes traditional dating tough for him. The 39-year-old from Michigan became more curious about digital companions last year and tested an AI app that had recently come onto the market. Advertising said that it made users feel “understood and loved.”

Similar to general AI chatbots, companion bots mimic human language. But they also come with features — such as voice calls, picture exchanges and more emotional exchanges — that allow them to form deeper connections with the humans on the other side of the screen. Users typically create their own avatar or choose one that appeals to them.

But researchers are concerned about data privacy, among other issues. An analysis of 11 romantic chatbot apps revealed that every app sells user data or doesn't provide adequate information about it in their privacy policy. Meanwhile, other experts have expressed concerns about what they see as a lack of legal or ethical principles. These apps facilitate deep bonds but are being driven by companies looking to make profits.

Last year, AI company Replika launched “Blush,” a “dating stimulator” essentially designed to help people practice dating. Some people worry that AI relationships could give users unrealistic expectations because chatbots tend to be agreeable all the time. One recent study from researchers at Stanford University surveyed approximately 1,000 Replika users — all students — who had been on the app for over a month. It found that the vast majority of them experienced loneliness, while almost half of them felt it more acutely.

(CBC News. February 2024. Adapted)

EXERCISE 1. Answer 3 of the following 4 questions, providing evidence from the text (maximum 1 point each, total 3 points):

a.

Is the following sentence true or false?

Derek Carrier is in his mid-forties.

b.

Does the text say that companion bots can imitate the way people speak?

c.

According to the text, are app developers motivated by economic factors?

d.

Does the text say that Replika users feel emotionally better after using the app?