Thanks to artificial intelligence, Barbie may soon be way more than just a doll. Mattel has teamed up with ToyTalk to transform the plastic toy into a girl with the personality and conversational abilities to make her the "perfect friend." Barbie will have more than 8,000 lines of dialogue at her disposal that have been mapped out according to conversations that creators think kids might have with the doll. The New York Times offers some examples:
"'Do you believe in God?' a kid might ask.'I think a person's beliefs are very personal to them,' Barbie might reply, Wulfeck said.'I'm getting bullied in school.''That’s sounds like something you should talk to a grown-up about.''Do you think I'm pretty?'[...] Of course you’re pretty, but you know what else you are?' Barbie would reply. 'You're smart, talented and funny.'" [The New York Times]
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