In a recent episode of Conan O’Brien‘s talk show, “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend,” Conan engaged in a lively discussion with actress Rashida Jones about her latest project involving artificial intelligence (AI). The conversation delved into the imperfections of AI and the potential dangers it poses.
Rashida Jones revealed that her new project is a mystery thriller set in the near future in Japan. Her character in the show receives a homebot, a cute little robot designed by her late husband, to help her cope with the loss of her husband and son in a plane crash. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that the robot may have its own mysterious agenda, putting Jones’ character in danger.
Conan O’Brien, always the joker, couldn’t resist drawing comparisons between AI and his own experiences. He hilariously recounted his time in Japan, where he rented a family as a travel segment for his show. He jokingly mentioned that the interaction with the rented family brought him closure, as the actors playing his wife and daughter couldn’t really understand him.
The discussion then took a more serious turn as Conan and Rashida explored their thoughts on AI and its impact on society. Both had mixed feelings, with Conan admitting his uneasiness with technology and his concern about humans losing sight of what real conflict is, as everything seems to be in a constant state of conflict in the modern world.
Rashida Jones expressed her agnostic stance on AI, acknowledging its inevitability and potential positive and negative implications. She also noted the dangers of social media and the manipulation of behavior through monetization, stressing the need for humans to remain aware and critical.
Despite their reservations, both Conan and Rashida agreed that artists have a responsibility to rise above the challenges presented by technology and use it to create something meaningful. They emphasized the importance of integrating and pushing beyond technology to maintain the essence of art and comedy.
The conversation ended on a lighter note, with Conan playfully teasing Rashida about his aging and jokingly referring to himself as Jesus Christ. They also made plans to have lunch together at a local restaurant.
This engaging and lively discussion between Conan O’Brien and Rashida Jones highlighted the complexities of AI and its impact on society. Their insights into the imperfections of AI and the need for artists to adapt and find new ways to create were thought-provoking. It’s clear that AI is not just a topic for scientific and technical discussions but also for entertainment and societal reflections.
