Struggling with a hard life choice? AI future selves have tips

A new AI tool called Future You lets users chat with a simulated version of their future self, generated by a large language model, to offer advice on life decisions. Researchers at MIT and other institutions developed the system, which creates a realistic older avatar based on a user's current age, goals, and personality, aiming to reduce anxiety and improve long-term thinking.

In each installment of the Back to the Future movie franchise, a time machine drives the same general script: The main character must rewrite a moment in time to fix his family and friends’ lives. Log in Subscribers, enter your e-mail address for full access to the Science News archives and digital editions.