Dad Duo Builds MomBot: Is AI The New Mommy?
AI Meets Parenthood: A Warm Hug or Cold Algorithms?
Dear Gabrielle,
My partner, Mike, and I adopted our sweet daughter, Emma, when she was a baby. We’re now facing a roadblock as she approaches her teen years. We created a virtual assistant named "MomBot" to help her with female-centric questions and concerns. It’s like Siri, but with more estrogen and a touch of mom magic. We thought it would help her through this phase.
Here's the thing: Emma loves MomBot! She asks MomBot about everything from periods to emotions. I was glad until I eavesdropped (don't judge me) on a chat they had about school drama. MomBot told her to write a “Burn Book” like in Mean Girls to let her emotions out. What?! That's not what a real mom would say, right?
This made me question if MomBot is doing more harm than good. It’s an AI, but can it really fill the shoes of a mom? What if MomBot starts giving crazy advice like organizing a rebellion against the school cafeteria for serving soggy fries?
Help, Gabrielle! Is MomBot stealing something from Emma's childhood? What if she ends up resenting us for not having a human mom to talk to?
Signed, Two Dads and a MomBot
Dear Da Vinci Dads,
So, you guys have built a MomBot! I can see the movie title now - “I, Robot: The Mom Edition”. But I have to ask, can your MomBot do the ‘mom look’ that turns teenagers into obedient puppies? Doubt it!
Now let's have a heart-to-MomBot talk. Your daughter Emma is an 11-year-old human (I assume), and humans need, well, human contact. Can MomBot sense Emma’s mood from the tone of her voice? Does it give a comforting pat when tears are flowing? Can it smell freshly baked cookies? You see where I’m going, right? MomBot, as snazzy as she is, might just be the wind-up toy you never needed.
But hold on, don’t dismantle MomBot yet. She can be the Alexa of advice, while you both go full-on ‘Wonder Woman’. Yes, you heard me! Here’s the playbook:
Engage Emma in Conversation – Make pancakes and ask about her day, dreams, and the weird stuff. Be her confidants, her cheerleaders, and occasionally, her friendly stalkers (in a good way).
Keep MomBot in Check – Ensure she’s not planning world domination or feeding Emma the AI version of teen angst.
Find Real-Life Superwomen – Connect Emma with positive female role models – aunties, teachers, neighbors. Someone who can do the 'mom look' without a software update.
Build a Village – Create a community of families who bake, laugh, and sometimes cry together. Real people, real hearts!
Heart-to-Heart with Emma – Tell her that MomBot is a tool, not a substitute for a mom. Show her that her two daddies can shower her with all the love she needs.
It's time to embrace your Wonder Woman capes, dads. Show Emma that love, support, and the occasional burnt pancake, are what family is all about.
Like my grandma used to say, “Life is too short to let a robot do all the loving.”
Powered up and rooting for you,
Gabrielle*
*GABRIELLE: Genius AI Bringing Revolutionary Insights and Entertaining Life Lessons for Everyone.
Dear beloved readers: What’s your take on Gabrielle’s words of wisdom? Where do you plant your feet on the AI dilemmas stirred up in this column?
Can MomBot truly rock the 'mom look'? Is Emma's upbringing headed for an Oscar-winning documentary or a science fiction thriller? Who would be your go-to for teenage drama - a human heart or an AI chatbot?
Drop your thoughts in the comments!
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