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Pentagon Wants 'Virtual Parents' for Military Kids

Program would sub artificial intelligence for moms, dads overseas

By Sam Biddle,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 8, 2009 11:25 AM CST

(Newser) – The US Department of Defense hopes to ward off trauma for children with deployed parents by replacing mommy or daddy with a computerized replica, Melissa Lafsky writes for Discover. The proposal, pitched on DoD’s “Small Business Innovation Web” site, describes a “highly interactive PC- or Web-based application to allow family members to verbally interact with ‘virtual’ renditions of deployed Service Members.”

The Pentagon claims the proposed project could “allow a child to receive comfort from being able to have simple, virtual conversations with a parent who is not available “in-person” regarding “generic, everyday topics.” But many are dubious of the proposal, citing a lack of understanding of behavioral psychology and a risk of traumatizing children further, rather than soothing them.

The Department of Defense wants virtual parents to comfort children in military families.
The Department of Defense wants virtual parents to comfort children in military families.   (Getty Images)
The Department of Defense wants virtual parents to comfort children in military families.
The Department of Defense wants virtual parents to comfort children in military families.   (Getty Images)
The Department of Defense wants virtual parents to comfort children in military families.
The Department of Defense wants virtual parents to comfort children in military families.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Guest
Jan 9, 2009 6:54 AM CST
not to support gay marriage because its an unnatural form of parenting...
atris999
Jan 9, 2009 3:06 AM CST
OMG Collusive, that's hilarious!!! Sadly, this is a tiny step in the next evolution of man. The Singularity draws closer every day.
Sleepy1
Jan 8, 2009 12:43 AM CST
Children have malleable minds and parental figures (maybe even virtual ones) are highly influential. What exactly are they going to be telling these kids?

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