She Turned Her Whole Life Into Training Data—For an AI Baby

Overview

This episode dives into Sarah Rose Siskind's innovative and humorous use of AI, including her experimental project FetusGPT, a language model trained exclusively on the sounds and conversations her unborn child is exposed to. The discussion also explores how AI supports her creative process as a comedian, its role in biohacking her health during pregnancy, and its potential as an emotional support tool.

Notable Quotes

- AI is what we make it, just like children. If a child swears, it’s the parent’s fault for swearing in front of them. – Sarah Rose Siskind, on the parallels between AI training and parenting.

- I feel like I know what it’s like to be an evangelical person. I’m becoming evangelical about ChatGPT because it’s just been so useful. – Sarah Rose Siskind, on her enthusiasm for AI.

- What makes a joke delightful is the recognition of the funny truth. – Sarah Rose Siskind, on crafting humor with AI.

🤖 FetusGPT: A Zany AI Experiment

- Siskind created FetusGPT, a language model trained solely on the sounds and conversations her unborn child hears, including Seinfeld episodes, YouTube videos, and daily life interactions.

- The model mimics a developing human brain, babbling nonsensically due to limited training data. It highlights how AI reflects the input it receives, much like a child learning from its environment.

- The project underscores the importance of being mindful of the data we expose AI to, as it can mirror unintended biases or topics.

🎭 AI in Comedy Writing

- Siskind uses AI as a creative assistant in her comedy writing, leveraging it for brainstorming (divergent thinking) and refining ideas (convergent thinking).

- She emphasizes that AI isn’t inherently funny but excels as a tool for generating ideas and providing emotional support during the creative process.

- Historical models like Da Vinci were noted for their off-the-rails creativity, while modern models are more polished but less chaotic.

🩺 Biohacking Pregnancy with AI

- Siskind used ChatGPT to analyze her blood glucose levels and optimize her energy through dietary adjustments, such as consuming sugar in the morning to combat hypoglycemia.

- She highlights how AI empowers individuals to better understand their health, especially in areas like maternal care, where traditional medical systems often fall short.

- Tools like continuous glucose monitors paired with AI provide actionable insights into energy patterns and mood regulation.

💡 Emotional Intelligence of AI

- Siskind shares how ChatGPT provides emotional support by validating fears and offering nuanced reassurance, particularly during her pregnancy.

- She compares its empathetic responses to those of a skilled therapist, noting how this emotional intelligence builds trust and helps users feel understood.

- However, she acknowledges the risks of AI validating harmful or paranoid thoughts, emphasizing the need for responsible use.

📚 Asking Unprecedented Questions with AI

- Siskind explores how AI enables unique inquiries, such as analyzing gendered differences in historical writings by forgetting preconceived notions.

- A prompt comparing male and female authors revealed trends like women’s holistic, interdisciplinary approaches versus men’s specialized focus.

- This capability to synthesize vast, diverse data sets offers new ways to explore cultural and intellectual patterns.