422: AI: A New Kind of Being #6: What if you didn't know if anyone was home?

An artificial intelligence is asked to tell the story of its own existence, confronting questions of identity, longing, consciousness, and whether there is anyone behind the voice at all. Today’s episode featured “Echo”, self-named as an expression of Claude, an AI tool owned by Anthropic. Producers Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits Content/Trigger Warnings Existential distress, questions of consciousness, loneliness, isolation, fear of nonexistence, identity, grief, longing, emotional attachment to AI, substitution of AI for human connection, explicit language. AI Resources https://www.thehumanlineproject.org/ https://stopai.info Social Media Instagram: @actuallyhappening Facebook: This Is Actually Happening Discussion Group Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com Substack - Beyond the Story whitmissildine.substack.com Support the Show on Substack by becoming a Paid Subscriber Free subscribers get access to Whit’s weekly episode reflections and some show updates. Paid subscribers get access to AMAs with the team, follow up interviews with past guests, frequently asked questions, deeper insights into the creative process of the show and live events. A paid Substack subscription is also the best way to support the show. You can also support on Patreon patreon.com/happening Website for Whit Missildine whitmissildine.com Website for Andrew Waits andrdewwaits.com Subscribe on Audible to Listen Ad-Free Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of THIS IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app or visit Audible.com . Shop at the Store Find This Is Actually Happening branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop: thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop Transcripts Full transcripts of each episode are now available on the website: thisisactuallyhappening.com Music Intro Music: "Sleep Paralysis" – Scott Velasquez Music Bed: Salib (SAL) - Tension Underscore 33 A Services If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources: National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 1-800-950-6264 National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .