I Built an AI That Talks Like My Parents | Emotional AI, Empathy, and the Future of Human Tech

I missed my parents, so I built an AI that talks like them. This isn’t about replacing people—it’s about remembering the voices that make us feel safe.

In this 90-minute episode of Data & AI with Mukundan, we explore what happens when technology stops chasing efficiency and starts chasing empathy. Mukundan shares the story behind “What Would Mom & Dad Say?”, a Streamlit + GPT-4 experiment that generates comforting messages in the voice of loved ones.

You’ll hear:

The emotional spark that inspired the projectThe plain-English prompts anyone can use to teach AI empathyBoundaries & ethics of emotional AIHow this project reframed loneliness, creativity, and connection

Takeaway: AI can’t love you—but it can remind you of the people who do.

🔗 Try the free reflection prompts below:

THE ONE-PROMPT VERSION: “What Would Mom & Dad Say?”

“You are speaking to me as one of my parents. Choose the tone I mention: either Mom (warm and reflective) or Dad (practical and encouraging). First, notice the emotion in what I tell you—fear, stress, guilt, joy, or confusion—and name it back to me so I feel heard. Then reply in 3 parts:

Start by validating what I’m feeling, in a caring way.Share a short story, lesson, or perspective that fits the situation.

End with one hopeful or guiding question that helps me think forward. Keep your words gentle, honest, and simple. No technical language. Speak like someone who loves me and wants me to feel calm and capable again.”

Join the Discussion (comments hub): https://mukundansankar.substack.com/notes

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