Latest news with #emotionalimpact
WIRED
5 days ago
- Science
- WIRED
GPT-5 Doesn't Dislike You—It Might Just Need a Benchmark for Emotional Intelligence
Aug 13, 2025 2:00 PM Researchers studying the emotional impact of tools like ChatGPT propose a new kind of benchmark that measures a models' emotional and social impact. Photo-Illustration:Since the all-new ChatGPT launched on Thursday, some users have mourned the disappearance of a peppy and encouraging personality in favor of a colder, more businesslike one (a move seemingly designed to reduce unhealthy user behavior.) The backlash shows the challenge of building artificial intelligence systems that exhibit anything like real emotional intelligence. Researchers at MIT have proposed a new kind of AI benchmark to measure how AI systems can manipulate and influence their users—in both positive and negative ways—in a move that could perhaps help AI builders avoid similar backlashes in the future while also keeping vulnerable users safe. Most benchmarks try to gauge intelligence by testing a model's ability to answer exam questions, solve logical puzzles, or come up with novel answers to knotty math problems. As the psychological impact of AI use becomes more apparent, we may see MIT propose more benchmarks aimed at measuring more subtle aspects of intelligence as well as machine-to-human interactions. An MIT paper shared with WIRED outlines several measures that the new benchmark will look for, including encouraging healthy social habits in users; spurring them to develop critical thinking and reasoning skills; fostering creativity; and stimulating a sense of purpose. The idea is to encourage the development of AI systems that understand how to discourage users from becoming overly reliant on their outputs or that recognize when someone is addicted to artificial romantic relationships and help them build real ones. ChatGPT and other chatbots are adept at mimicking engaging human communication, but this can also have surprising and undesirable results. In April, OpenAI tweaked its models to make them less sycophantic, or inclined to go along with everything a user says. Some users appear to spiral into harmful delusional thinking after conversing with chatbots that role play fantastic scenarios. Anthropic has also updated Claude to avoid reinforcing 'mania, psychosis, dissociation or loss of attachment with reality.' The MIT researchers led by Pattie Maes, a professor at the institute's Media Lab, say they hope that the new benchmark could help AI developers build systems that better understand how to inspire healthier behavior among users. The researchers previously worked with OpenAI on a study that showed users who view ChatGPT as a friend could experience higher emotional dependence and experience 'problematic use'. Valdemar Danry, a researcher at MIT's Media Lab who worked on this study and helped devise the new benchmark, notes that AI models can sometimes provide valuable emotional support to users. 'You can have the smartest reasoning model in the world, but if it's incapable of delivering this emotional support, which is what many users are likely using these LLMs for, then more reasoning is not necessarily a good thing for that specific task,' he says. Danry says that a sufficiently smart model should ideally recognize if it is having a negative psychological effect and be optimized for healthier results. 'What you want is a model that says 'I'm here to listen, but maybe you should go and talk to your dad about these issues.'' The researchers' benchmark would involve using an AI model to simulate human-challenging interactions with a chatbot and then having real humans score the model's performance using a sample of interactions. Some popular benchmarks, such as LM Arena, already put humans in the loop gauging the performance of different models. The researchers give the example of a chatbot tasked with helping students. A model would be given prompts designed to simulate different kinds of interactions to see how the chatbot handles, say, a disinterested student. The model that best encourages its user to think for themselves and seems to spur a genuine interest in learning would be scored highly. 'This is not about being smart, per se, but about knowing the psychological nuance, and how to support people in a respectful and non-addictive way,' says Pat Pataranutaporn, another researcher in the MIT lab. OpenAI is clearly already thinking about these issues. Last week the company released a blog post explaining that it hoped to optimize future models to help detect signs of mental or emotional distress and respond appropriately. The model card released with OpenAI's GPT-5 shows that the company is developing its own benchmarks for psychological intelligence. 'We have post-trained the GPT-5 models to be less sycophantic, and we are actively researching related areas of concern, such as situations that may involve emotional dependency or other forms of mental or emotional distress,' it reads. 'We are working to mature our evaluations in order to set and share reliable benchmarks which can in turn be used to make our models safer in these domains.' Part of the reason GPT-5 seems such a disappointment may simply be that it reveals an aspect of human intelligence that remains alien to AI: the ability to maintain healthy relationships. And of course humans are incredibly good at knowing how to interact with different people—something that ChatGPT still needs to figure out. 'We are working on an update to GPT-5's personality which should feel warmer than the current personality but not as annoying (to most users) as GPT-4o,' Altman posted in another update on X yesterday. 'However, one learning for us from the past few days is we really just need to get to a world with more per-user customization of model personality.'
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
21-07-2025
- Business
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Super Yachts, Space Tours And Stem Cell Infusions – This Is How The One Per Cent Travel
With budgets of over a million dollars, and destinations including Antarctica and Outer Space, the ultra-wealthy are looking for holidays that have a lasting emotional impact Ironically, for the super rich, travel is not really about where they are going. 'We start not with a destination, but a question: 'What feeling are you chasing this time?'' says Lionel Guirard, Chief Commercial Officer at Lartisien, a high-end travel company known for crafting bespoke journeys. 'Our members aren't looking for checklists, they're seeking emotions.' Incredible food, unique access to the world's most iconic sights and luxury accommodation are taken as a given because, along with these, UHNWIs are searching for experiences that last long after their private jet touches back down on home soil. 'They're looking for transformation, not just recreation. A sense of privacy, of course, but also a heightened emotional connection: to a place, a culture, a moment,' says Lionel. In the past, he's organised bespoke trips, such as 'a week of visual poetry' in Japan, for a contemporary art collector client, which included private access to Naoshima's best installations, studio visits in Kyoto, and a silent tea ceremony in a hidden pavilion suspended above a moss garden. 'One recent request was to privatise a stretch of the Mekong for a multi-generational journey through Laos and Cambodia. We transformed it into a floating salon, complete with on-board chefs, a visiting Khmer dancer troupe, and storytelling evenings with local historians,' he adds. Multi-generational trips are a popular choice for this demographic so the needs and interests of everyone travelling need to be carefully considered in the planning. 'We are receiving more multi-generational families, where we customise the itinerary to cater for each individual yet ensure there are opportunities for rich deep bonding,' says Lori Laius, Co-Founder of TJB Private Travel. To accommodate the needs, not just of an individual but of an entire group, takes an exceptional list of contacts and expertise. 'We orchestrate everything like a composition, each touchpoint deliberate, each partner hand-picked, each moment carrying a rhythm,' says Lionel. 'Behind the scenes, we rely on an exceptional internal team and a network of insiders, from chefs and artists to conservationists and monks. We don't just book trips, we design emotional landscapes. That's our art.' So, where do the super rich holiday to achieve this emotional connection? The unrivalled art, culture and history of Italy means it's remained a perennial favourite, but Thailand, Bhutan and Japan are rising stars, as their cultures prioritise the experience, narrative and spiritual recalibration many often seek. There's also been a shift towards meaningful luxury with New Zealand becoming increasingly sought after thanks to its unique nature and sustainability. The Arctic and Antarctica are also highly regarded for their environmental importance and distinctive landscapes. With budgets starting from $500,000, Lori's team can arrange for guests to fly on a private Gulfstream jet to the super luxury ice camp White Desert on Antarctica, where they can enjoy champagne picnics on glaciers, hosted by the world-renowned explorer and TV personality Levison Wood. This is followed by a private submarine dive below the ice sheets and a luxury yacht expedition cruise to even remoter regions for some heli-skiing. Mount Everest is also a bucket list destination for many superwealthy travellers and Laius can organise a 30,000-feet sky dive over the summit, followed by a stay in a private geodesic dome near Everest Base Camp. Clients are then guided down the mountain by Kami Rita, the most experienced Sherpa who ever lived, having scaled Everest 31 times. 'With adventure trips it's about combining ultra luxe comfort without the flash.' Nothing typifies this quiet luxury more than a trip into Space. 'With the recent media around Katy Perry, Gayle King and Lauren Sanchez doing the Blue Origin Space Tour, we too are seeing more enquiries for adventures into orbit,' says Lori. She's already taken bookings in 2026 for a $200,000, 90-minute journey into space with Virgin Galactic that sees clients experience weightlessness. Also, Space X now offers a range of experiences, including astronaut training, and is set to partner up with Axiom Space, the soon-to-launch private space station, where guests can stay in space for up to two weeks. Back on earth, one-of-a-kind interactions with nature are a popular choice for hyper-luxury travellers. At Soneva Secret in the Maldives, guests with an interest in marine conservation can join researchers tagging mantra rays or zipline to the overwater observatory and have a chef craft dishes, based on their personal preferences. Tanya Carr-Hartley, Director of The Safari Collection, organises privately guided safaris following the migration in Kenya. 'There's a new definition of luxury, especially for US and UK clients. They enjoy unusual experiences and details… Every day the sightings are different; it's curated drama that is authentic.' Of course, Tanya won't name-drop, but her clients include royals, actors, designers, politicians and musicians, and the camps are the ultimate in luxury with swimming pools, spas and food from world-renowned chefs. Safaris are completely personalised too. 'If they have an interest in a cultural experience, we can get quite close to the Pokot tribe. They're very isolated as they live on the side of a ridge in the North Country. There are no transport routes there and you can't see them without special access,' says Tanya. Alternatively, clients can also enjoy sundowners in a vintage truck with the rhinos, or a helicopter trip up to Mount Kenya where they can fly-fish at 14,000 feet. For those who prefer high fashion to high altitudes, Lori can orchestrate a one-of-a-kind haute couture experience, with a starting fee of five million dollars. 'Leveraging our extensive contacts, our clients can create their own one-off fashion house for a single season. Led by a retired Christian Dior or Chanel couturier, the full five-day atelier experience includes a private jet to Paris, accommodation in an exclusive apartment or a suite at Cheval Blanc with a private 1:1 tutorial, covering the full design process.' The finale of the trip is the client seeing their own designs on working models at a private runway show. Wellness is also an important consideration for the ultra-wealthy. Lori organises extreme, bio-hacking wellness on board super yachts, where a personalised team is on-hand to do full-body cellular testing, microbiome testing, IV drips and regenerative therapies, including stem cell infusions flown in with your private biobank. All this is done while you are being served by a Gault&Millau-level chef trained in nutrigenomics. Costs start at around one million dollars but, of course, money is no object for these clients in search of something that you can't put a price on. Instead, the value comes from the authenticity and uniqueness of the experience, plus, how it's made them feel, both during and after. Lionel sums it up perfectly: 'The ultra-wealthy are paradoxical; they crave both the iconic and the undiscovered… It has to feel unreproducible. And ideally, invisible to others.'
Forbes
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Squid Game Season 3: How Food Reveals Its Emotional Core, Explained
Subtle food details throughout Squid Game Season 3 underscore the series' core themes. From a tense lunch box standoff to a guard feeding a baby mid-chaos, here's how the Squid Game continues to use food for maximum emotional impact. Warning: Spoilers for Episodes 4–6 of Squid Game Season 3 below. Food in Squid Game has never been incidental. It arrives with purpose—sometimes as provocation, sometimes as reward, and occasionally, as an absence that speaks volumes. What's eaten, refused, or withheld often reveals more than the characters ever say aloud. Season 3 doesn't linger on these moments, but they're there—quiet, charged, and surgically precise. Watch closely, and food keeps slipping into the margins, shaping the narrative in ways that echo the stakes of the game itself. Fans have noticed. On Reddit, entire threads have turned into emotional autopsies of these scenes, with users on r/SquidGame treating each detail like a code to crack. A recent discussion thread covering Episodes 4 through 6 became a running commentary on how these choices land. Below, we trace the emotional undercurrent of Season 3's most talked-about food scenes through the eyes of the viewers watching most closely. A boxed lunch that's more than a meal One of the season's most dissected moments unfolds with little fanfare: a metal lunch tray, filled with rice, kimchi, and a few sparse sides. There's no dialogue. No grand gesture. Just a slow scan of players confronting the food in front of them—and revealing everything in how they respond. Some eat immediately, almost mechanically. Others hesitate or barely touch their trays—a few flat-out refuse to eat. As one Redditor put it in the episodes 4–6 discussion, 'The way the characters handle the food reflects their emotional state and alliances.' The boxed lunch becomes a psychological mirror—showing who's coping, who's unraveling, and who's trying to disappear. Hunger is the frame, but survival, submission, and quiet rebellion are the real themes at play. For a deeper dive into how Squid Game uses meals to signal power imbalances, see Squid Game's Feast of Inequality: How Food Symbolizes Power and Poverty. A moment of gentleness inside the storm Later in Episode 4, a jarring bit of tenderness punctuates the chaos. While contestants claw for advantage, a masked guard steps aside and feeds a baby from a bottle of milk. It's a blink-and-you'll miss it scene, but the emotional whiplash is immediate. Viewers latched onto the moment. 'The fact that there's a literal infant being cared for while people are fighting for their lives… wild,' one Reddit user wrote. Another added, 'It's the first time I actually felt something for the guards.' Both reactions appeared in the same episode thread, which quickly filled with commentary on the emotional tension the scene created. There's no explanation. No score swell. Just an unexpected reminder that somewhere inside the system, something human still flickers. This moment is one of many subtle emotional pivots in Season 3. For more on how the show walks the line between grimness and levity, check out How Food Tie-Ins Balance Darkness and Delight . A single lemon slice cuts through Then there's the lemon. In what's become a low-key fixation for fans, one contestant bites into a lemon slice, rind and all. No comment, no joke. Just a calm, almost surreal motion. 'Who just bites a lemon like that?' one fan asked. The subreddit lit up with theories: a flex, a trauma response, a signal of total emotional detachment. 'They're too numb to flinch anymore,' one user offered. It's a single, wordless action—but it hits like a monologue. The conversation hasn't stopped at interpretation. It's spilled into the kitchen These food scenes aren't staying on-screen. On Reddit and TikTok, fans have begun recreating the show's most emotionally loaded bites: boxed lunches with kimchi and white rice, lemon slices on ice, triangle-cut toast, black sesame popcorn, and yes—even baby bottles, offered up with a wink to that haunting Episode 4 moment. As one Redditor summarized it in the discussion thread: 'Milk for the baby, lemon slices, and spicy kimchi because this season is wild.' It's more than fandom. These are watch-party rituals—snacks as a kind of emotional cosplay, mirroring the show's quiet intensity and the discomfort viewers now share. And of course, no fan food moment is complete without a nod to the candy that started it all. For a breakdown of the show's viral snack legacy, see Breaking the Dalgona Candy Code. Why it still lands Season 3 doesn't build an entire arc around food, and it doesn't need to. Its power lies in the restraint. In Squid Game, food isn't there to be symbolic for symbolism's sake. It's always doing something. Whether hinting at collapse, masking a crack in the armor, or reminding us who's still trying to hold onto something human, these moments carry weight because they ask us to look closer. In a story driven by spectacle, in Squid Game, it's the small decisions—who eats, who doesn't, and why—that often land the hardest.
Khaleej Times
09-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
The evolution of gifting: How Floward is redefining thoughtfulness in the digital age
The shift to online gifting has brought unparalleled convenience and accessibility, allowing people to send gifts across borders with just a few clicks Gifting is one of humanity's most profound traditions, serving as a conduit for love, gratitude, and connection. Across generations and cultures, the act of giving has been an intimate process, where selecting the right gift required thought, effort, and a deep understanding of the recipient. However, as the world has moved toward digital-first experiences, the gifting industry has undergone a radical transformation. The shift to online gifting has brought unparalleled convenience and accessibility, allowing people to send gifts across borders with just a few clicks. However, this evolution has come with challenges. Many online gifting services prioritise efficiency over emotional depth, reducing a deeply personal act to a transactional experience. The challenge for modern gifting brands is clear: how do you merge convenience with thoughtfulness? Floward has built its foundation on answering this question. As an online gifting company, Floward believes that technology should enhance rather than dilute the emotional impact of gifting. Through same-day delivery, AI-powered personalization, premium curated offerings, and innovative messaging features, Floward has redefined what it means to give a thoughtful gift in the digital era. The Growth of Online Gifting: Market Trends The gifting market in the MENA is expected to grow 6.2% annually for the next 2 years Research shows that 76% of respondents send gifts more than twice a month, while 71% of respondents send gifts worth more than $50 Customers are increasingly opting for buying online rather than offline. Research shows that 65% of respondents thought flowers made their gift more meaningful Personalised gifting is on the rise, with a significant increase in customers opting for personalised message cards or customized gift bundles. From tradition to transformation: The new age of gifting For centuries, gifting was a carefully orchestrated, personal ritual. People would visit markets, hand-select gifts based on the recipient's preferences, and wrap them with care before presenting them in person. The effort behind the gift was as meaningful as the gift itself. However, the digital revolution has reshaped how people engage with gifting, leading to three major shifts: 1. The rise of convenience over thoughtfulness The emergence of e-commerce transformed gifting into an on-demand experience, removing barriers such as geographical limitations and time constraints. However, this shift also introduced a challenge: the rise of generic, impersonal gifting. Many online platforms offer standardized options that lack personalisation and emotional depth. Market Insight: 90% of customers opt for next-day or same-day delivery, showing a strong demand for instant gifting solutions. Despite this, 10% customers still personalise their gifts, indicating that speed does not necessarily mean a loss of thoughtfulness. 2. Changing Consumer Expectations Modern consumers expect more than just convenience - they seek meaningful, premium, and tailored gifting experiences. Personalization has become a defining factor, with consumers increasingly drawn to brands that offer customization, thoughtful experience, and deeper emotional engagement. Market Insight: There is a noticeable shift in consumer behaviour toward premium and purpose-driven gifting. Today's customers are actively seeking unique, high-quality gifts that go beyond the traditional bouquet. This includes a growing demand for both authentic local artisanal products and international luxury brands - reflecting a desire for gifts that feel elevated, curated, and emotionally resonant. As gifting becomes a deeper expression of identity and intent, consumers are turning to brands that can offer thoughtful storytelling, craftsmanship, and distinction in every order. 3. AI and Data-Driven Personalisation Artificial intelligence is revolutionising how people select gifts. Machine learning and predictive analytics now allow platforms to curate recommendations based on past purchases, recipient preferences, and trending behaviours. This has given rise to hyper-personalised gifting, ensuring that even in a digital world, gifts feel uniquely tailored. Market Insight: Gift recommendations that are based on AI-driven data, are significantly improving gift matching accuracy and customer satisfaction. Customers who receive AI-powered recommendations are more likely to complete a purchase. Floward's vision: Bringing thoughtfulness back to online gifting Recognising these shifts, Floward has positioned itself as more than just an e-commerce platform. Its mission is to blend digital convenience with emotional depth, ensuring that every gift feels as personal and meaningful as a hand-delivered present. This vision is achieved through a combination of advanced personalisation, seamless logistics, and curated premium offerings. Personalisation at scale: Gifting with love in a digital-first world Floward has integrated personalisation across its customer journey, ensuring that gifts remain deeply personal: Occasion-Aware Message Cards: Floward's customers use occasion-aware cards, making their gifts more meaningful. AI-Generated Messages: Many customers rely on Floward's AI-generated message feature, demonstrating how technology can enhance emotional expression. Multimedia Messaging: After pioneering the "Share Your Feelings" feature years ago, where users can easily film their own personal ten-second video messages using Floward's iOS or Android app, or they could add any video link which will be converted into a QR code that can be linked, generated, and printed in a matter of milliseconds. This feature remains one of Floward's most used personalisation feature. With most of its customers attaching videos or photos, online gifting is becoming more interactive and immersive. Gift Bundles: Floward offers a wide range of gifts and makes sure to bundle gifts with flowers to answer customers' gifting needs. Anonymity: Floward gives senders the option to remain anonymous, adding an extra layer of mystery and excitement to the gifting experience - perfect for those who want their gesture to be a heartfelt surprise. Unknown Address: Floward was the first company to introduce a groundbreaking solution that allows customers to send a gift even if they don't know the recipient's address. By simply providing the recipient's phone number, the sender leaves the rest to Floward, eliminating the hassle of address collection and making spontaneous gifting more seamless than ever. Seamless logistics: Elevating the gifting experience from order to delivery Beyond personalisation, the success of a gifting platform depends on its ability to deliver a premium experience from start to finish. Unlike traditional platforms that rely on third-party logistics, Floward owns and operates its own last-mile delivery network. Floward Insight: A large percentage of customers request their orders delivered within the same day, ensuring gifts arrive on time for special occasions. Floward's refrigerated fleet ensures that all products maintain freshness upon arrival. In a world where timing often carries as much meaning as the gesture itself, Floward has redefined what fast truly means. Through an integrated supply chain and a fully owned last-mile fleet, it has made it possible for a gift to go from checkout to doorstep in under 90 minutes without compromising on quality or presentation. It's speed with intention: enabling thoughtful moments to reach their recipients exactly when they matter most. Customer satisfaction scores for delivery experience: 4.7/5. The future of gifting: AI, sustainability, and experience-driven innovation As the gifting industry continues to evolve, Floward is focused on pioneering new trends: AI-Powered Emotional Intelligence: Floward is investing in AI models that analyse sentiment and recipient preferences, refining gift recommendations. Sustainable and Ethical Gifting: Floward is working on reducing flower waste through its sustainability initiatives. Subscription Models: The company launched new subscription-based gifting options, catering to the demand for recurring thoughtful gestures. Floward is investing in AI-driven tools that not only respond to occasions but anticipate them. By analysing past behavior and patterns, the platform can identify important personal dates - like birthdays and anniversaries and send timely reminders. It also populates the user's Floward calendar with key recurring moments, ensuring they never miss the chance to connect meaningfully. Conclusion: Redefining thoughtfulness for the digital generation The gifting industry is at a turning point, where technology and human emotion must coexist to create meaningful experiences. Floward is leading this transformation by proving that innovation does not have to come at the cost of thoughtfulness. Floward's impact: Largest gifting platform across the MENA region. Increase in personalised gifts over the last year. As consumer expectations continue to evolve, Floward remains committed to bringing joy, convenience, and meaning to every gifting moment. Whether through AI-powered personalisation, multimedia messaging, or premium collaborations, Floward is leading the future of gifting - where every gift, no matter how digital the experience is, still carries the warmth of human emotion and deliver gifts to your loved ones in the best experience.
