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[ARTICLE · art-63717] src=boingboing.net ↗ pub= topic=artificial-intelligence verified=true sentiment=· neutral

The sci-fi machines that talk, but only about one thing

Matt Webb, on his blog Interconnected, posted excerpts from sci-fi stories about machines that talk only about one thing, including an ATM that discourages long conversations. The post appeared on Boing Boing.

read1 min views50 publishedJul 17, 2026

Modern voice AI can talk about anything, which is the problem: do you want therapy from your fridge? On his blog Interconnected, Matt Webb posted excerpts from sci-fi stories about machines that talk only about one thing.

Like this ATM that discourages long convos:

He headed for the ATM in the back… he knew it was watching him as he walked up to it.

The post The sci-fi machines that talk, but only about one thing appeared first on Boing Boing.

source & further reading
boingboing.net — original article Beholden to Big Tech, Grandpa Pudding Brains demands more data centers Claude's "load-bearing" vocabulary charted Own the software that gives blurry videos a glow-up for just $60
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