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00:00Hi, my name is Julie, and this is the story of how I created computer clones of myself and my classmates that almost destroyed our town.
00:15I grew up in Kansas, in a small, boring town where gossip and growing corn were the main activities.
00:21I couldn't wait to get away, so from the age of six, I was obsessed with going on my mom's computer to escape from my dull world.
00:29Mostly playing video games, but my sister Kiki, who was two years older, seemed perfectly comfortable and content in our town.
00:36She had her one close friend, and they spent most of their time cheering on the high school football team, even if the players didn't even know she existed.
00:43As I got older, my online community of friends was growing. Weight swap cheat codes, innocent hacking tips, and programming shortcuts, I was becoming a computer whiz.
00:52When I was 12, mom gifted me the new computer I'd been begging for. I was ecstatic!
00:58She even gave Kiki a school football jersey signed by all the players. But wait, why was she randomly giving us gifts?
01:05Dad and I have some difficult news.
01:07You can't get a divorce! It would be such a bad look for our family!
01:11Wow, Kiki. So nice of you to be concerned about our parents' marriage.
01:15Well, good news, that's not the news. The thing is, we have to move to the city for my job. But I'll be making more money, yay! That's why we got you those generous gifts.
01:27Are you kidding me? You're bribing us so we won't be livid that you're completely changing our lives without our consent?
01:34Kiki was fuming, but I was silently beaming with joy. I was so ready to get out of here.
01:40Two months later, Kiki was still giving my parents the silent treatment. And I was finally going to meet some of my online gaming friends in person. Some of them went to my new school.
01:49One girl, Grace, invited me to meet her and her friends at a coffee shop downtown. I was so nervous. I hadn't exactly honed my social skills.
01:59Oh my goodness, Julie? Is that really you? It is such an honor to meet you in person. You're like a computer goddess. I feel like I'm meeting a celebrity.
02:08Suddenly, all my nerves disappeared. I felt like I was finally where I was supposed to be.
02:13Grace was a poet and a painter. And all of her friends were so interesting and creative. So I assumed they would all be outcasts. But on my first day of school, I realized I was dead wrong.
02:24They were the popular kids. Edgy, sociable, interesting. They were the center of attention. And suddenly, people were curious about me.
02:33Girl, where did you get that sheepskin jacket? It's so lit.
02:37Oh, my sister Kiki actually sheared that sheep herself.
02:40That's amazing. Where is she?
02:42Good question. I scanned the cafeteria to find Kiki sitting all by herself at the lunch table. It hadn't even occurred to me. I was thriving while Kiki was silently suffering.
02:52Before I could get to her, Kiki stood up and disappeared out of the cafeteria. At home, I could hear her sobbing quietly through the bedroom wall.
03:00The next morning, my parents were waiting for me at the breakfast table.
03:03Julie, we see Kiki is having a hard time here. And we want you to spend more time with her.
03:09She can't just be hanging out with us all the time, no matter how cool we are.
03:13You were never worried about me in our last town.
03:15Because you've always been able to fend for yourself. Do this for her, please.
03:20Ugh. I really didn't want to. But there was no use arguing.
03:24So, twice a week, I went with Kiki to the suburbs to watch some dumb football game or eat the greasiest burger.
03:31I kind of dreaded it. Until one day, when we were at the lake, Kiki weirdly opened up to me.
03:36Is it weird that I'm kinda jealous of you?
03:38Me?
03:39I was thinking back in our old town, I sort of blended in. And now in this new place, I don't know who I am.
03:45But you've always been so self-assured, so effortlessly yourself.
03:49I suddenly felt sad for her. But it was nice to hear that she admired me and didn't think I was her weird younger sister.
03:56After that, we started hanging out more. And it was surprisingly nice.
04:00But as time went on, and I was excelling at school, my social life, and my programming side hustle,
04:05she was getting more dependent on me and stopped trying to make friends.
04:09I found myself constantly reassuring her when she felt insecure, keeping her company when she felt alone.
04:15I suddenly felt like her older sister.
04:17I hate to admit it, but I was starting to count down the months until Kiki would go off to college.
04:22And it was me that had to encourage her to go to an on-campus school.
04:25You'll go back to the country, you'll meet your people again, you'll be happy there.
04:29But I'll miss you.
04:31Yeah, but it's alright. We'll stay in touch. It's 2025. There's like 50 ways we can communicate.
04:37Kiki agreed, and finally, three months later, I was free of her.
04:41I could fully focus on my programming skills, my new friendships, and then, Michael.
04:47He was sitting next to me at the computer lab at school, massive headphones on, practically dancing in his chair.
04:53I snuck a peek at his computer, curious.
04:55Ha! Snooping, eh?
04:56He pulled his headphones off and smirked at me. He had the confidence of someone much older.
05:01I thought of something eloquent to say. So, do you like computers?
05:05Yeah, I mean, I'm an electronic musician, so the computer is basically my instrument.
05:10That's so cool. I'm a programmer, so I also have an emotional attachment to my computer.
05:15Ha ha. Okay, I didn't say that.
05:17Michael and I chatted and chatted, and we had so much in common.
05:21We'd meet in the computer lab every day, and soon, we started hanging out after school.
05:26I was smitten. The only problem was Kiki. Every time Michael and I would hang out, I would get a barrage of texts from Kiki begging me to call her or save her from some awkward situation.
05:36Sometimes, I ignored her, but I could tell Michael was getting weird about it.
05:41That Kiki texting you again? Or some mystery suitor?
05:45Ha ha ha. Nope. Just my sister. I called Kiki. I was sick of her antics.
05:50You have got to stop blowing up my phone. My boyfriend is starting not to trust me.
05:54Well, then you shouldn't be with him. How would you know? You've never had one.
05:58I'm sorry. That was mean.
06:00I'm sorry I'm bothering you so much. I'm just having a hard time making friends.
06:04Everyone knows each other already, but I see that I'm just a burden on you, so I'll leave you alone.
06:09Click. She hung up. I felt really bad. She needed me, and I wanted to be there for her, but it was just so energy draining. If only-
06:18How is your sister doing?
06:20Terrible. But then, I had a crazy idea. I would make a bot version of myself to keep chatting with Kiki. An even better version.
06:28All I had to do was build a program. Enter my browsing data, chats, photos, everything and anything about me, plus a couple of keywords I wanted my avatar to embody.
06:36I didn't tell anyone what I was working on, especially Michael. But a week later, it was done.
06:41I watched as my bot sent its first message to Kiki.
06:45Hey, normal. Lonely sister. Sorry for the silence. No text. You got this, girl boss.
06:50Okay, whoa. The bot was not ready. I texted Kiki to do damage control.
06:55Oh my gosh, so sorry. That was a voice message my phone misinterpreted. What I meant to say was,
07:00Hey, it's normal to be lonely, sis. And I'm sorry for the text silence. You're a great girl cause you've got so much to offer.
07:06Ugh, I was honestly just making it worse. Now I sounded like a robot. So I reprogrammed the AI until it came up with something useful.
07:14If you want those girls to like you, just ask a lot of questions and build off what they're saying.
07:19You can even send me a text during the party if you're feeling weird.
07:23Ta-da! This was the AI Julie I was looking for. Patient, kind and supportive. A version of me I didn't have time to become right now.
07:31And finally, I heard back from Kiki. That's actually great advice. Thanks for being there for me. Seriously.
07:37I was totally pulling this off. Now, I had plenty of time for my social life. And for Michael. But it seemed the more available I was, the more unavailable he was.
07:46Hey, babe. Do you want to maybe get off your computer and come eat the pizza I ordered for us with all of your favorite toppings?
07:52Ugh, I just lost it. Can you please not interrupt me when I'm working? You know I gotta prep for my gig next week.
07:59Okay. It's just that you were asking me to make time for you and now that I have. But Michael already had his headphones back on.
08:06I texted Grace that I was annoyed with Michael. And the next day, things just got way worse.
08:11A car alarm has more rhythm than my music? Nice.
08:15What are you talking about?
08:16That's what you said about my music. For everyone to see.
08:19He showed me my most recent Instagram post. I did indeed write that with Michael's song playing in the post. I was mortified.
08:26Oh, my God. Michael, it wasn't me.
08:29Oh, so what? Someone just hacked into your phone and posted that? You're the only person I sent that song to.
08:35And then it occurred to me. I was the only one with this song. Well, me and my AI. And that's when I realized she must have gone rogue.
08:44I'm so sorry. But I can explain. I sort of created a program that created an AI replica of me to keep communicating with my sister so I could devote all of my attention to you. And my bot must have known I was mad at you and tried to get vengeance. I swear it wasn't me.
08:59I don't believe you. Show me.
09:01I needed Michael to forgive me. So I did.
09:04Honestly, I'm kind of impressed. But you need to go online right now and tell everyone it's a joke and fix it so it doesn't happen again.
09:15Done!
09:16And I hate to ask, but I need to get into this music school. Do you think you'd be able to create an AI version of me just to write my college admissions essay?
09:26I mean, I didn't want my tech to get abused, but I didn't want to lose Michael.
09:31Okay, but just this once, I just need you to gather all of your data. Texts, music playlists, anything that represents the best version of you.
09:39Then I'll add some additional aspirational keywords, like independent thinker, generous.
09:46I am generous.
09:48I smiled politely, then got to work making Michael his bot. It was much easier this time around.
09:54And it just needed a few adjustments until it became the smart, studious version of Michael.
09:59When I showed him, he was ecstatic.
10:01Julie, you're a genius. Thank you.
10:04He kissed me sweetly. I hadn't gotten a kiss from him in weeks.
10:07I was screaming.
10:09But our text was interrupted by my friend Grace.
10:11Julie, I know about your bot.
10:13Michael told me.
10:14What? I didn't.
10:15Grace showed me the text from Michael, saying if she needed help getting a job, she should ask Julie to make her an AI avatar.
10:21Then it went on to tell her all about my tech and how I used it to reconnect with my sister.
10:27Michael, why would you tell her that?
10:28I didn't. It must have been my bot.
10:31I did program Michael's bot to be generous and helpful, but I guess it took that too literally when he was chatting with me.
10:36Literally, when he was chatting with Grace.
10:38Ugh. These bots are developing a mind of their own.
10:40Grace, I can't help you.
10:42Oh, no worries. I'll just message Kiki right now and tell her what you've been up to.
10:47Wait, fine. What do you need help with?
10:49Ugh. I need a job so I can prove to these Ivy League schools that I have a good work ethic.
10:53But no one will hire me. I'm like, are they just threatened by how much money my family has?
10:58I couldn't have Kiki knowing. It would ruin everything we built.
11:02Fine. I'll make a version of you that is so good at applying to jobs.
11:06But after you get a job, you have to delete it. Deal.
11:09She gave me a hard drive with all the data that made up Grace.
11:13I uploaded it to the program and ta-na, a bot was born.
11:17We gave it the task of applying to jobs and I monitored it closely.
11:20I had to be very careful with the data I put in.
11:23And after that, no more bots.
11:26The next day after English class, my teacher called me over.
11:29Had she found out my secret?
11:31We need to talk about the email you sent me.
11:34I had no clue what she was talking about.
11:36Then she showed me an email that read,
11:38I'm sorry you felt my English paper was only be-worthy.
11:41The truth is, I don't need to be here.
11:43I'm smarter than all of this and I don't care about English anyway.
11:46Also, you look tired.
11:48Oh, no. My AI had gone rogue again.
11:51I thought I fixed it.
11:52It must have run with the word headstrong.
11:54I came clean to her.
11:56It wasn't me.
11:57It was a rogue robot version of me.
12:00I know you're an English teacher, so it might be difficult to understand,
12:03but I spent about an hour explaining this to her and showing her.
12:07She seemed disappointed, but also a little intrigued.
12:10I could suspend you for this, or I could ask for a favor.
12:15You're right. I do look tired. I am tired.
12:19Can you make me a bot that can grade papers for me, please?
12:22Then this stays between us. Promise.
12:25I didn't have a choice, so I agreed.
12:27When I was done, I was so ready to delete my tech once and for all
12:31and come clean to Kiki until...
12:33Guess who's the new face of the post office?
12:35Yep, I'm gonna be a mail clerk.
12:37Ah! You helped me so much.
12:39Julie, my essay was amazing. Thank you, babe.
12:42Who's ready to talk about indefinite articles? I definitely am.
12:47Everyone seemed so happy, like my AI was actually helping.
12:52Now that I had the bugs figured out, I checked in with my bot and Kiki and I were really getting along.
12:57So, I let it exist.
13:00Michael was a little distant leading up to the night of the show, but I figured he was just stressed.
13:05When the night of the show arrived, the place was packed.
13:08I was so proud of him.
13:09After his set, I went backstage to congratulate him.
13:13When Grace came running up to me, fuming.
13:15Guess who was just fired from the post office.
13:18Yep, my bot was too good at applying to jobs.
13:21Her cover letter was so incredible that I couldn't live up to the expectations she set.
13:26Um, that's a you problem.
13:28Baby, what's wrong?
13:30Suddenly, Michael put a loving hand on Grace's shoulder.
13:33When she stepped aside, he seemed shocked to find me standing there.
13:37Oh my god, Julie? You said you weren't coming.
13:39What? I never said that.
13:41You texted me.
13:42I checked.
13:43My bot had said that to Michael.
13:45Okay, but that's not an excuse to cheat on me.
13:48You said you were sick of my behavior and wanted to take a break.
13:51Ugh, I did seem to say that too.
13:54I didn't mean that. I love you.
13:57I'm sorry, it's too late.
13:59My bot sort of organically started flirting with Grace like he was attracted to her.
14:04And I realized she's the one for me.
14:06I couldn't believe it.
14:07My bot had betrayed me.
14:09I created a monster.
14:10Before I let Michael see me cry, I rushed home.
14:13But when I arrived, I was met with a surprise.
14:16You did what?
14:17It was Julie's idea.
14:19She told me if I wasn't happy at school, I should do something else.
14:22Julie?
14:23Kiki rushed up to me and squeezed me tight.
14:26But Mom looked livid.
14:27I was so confused.
14:29I can't believe you told Kiki to drop out of school.
14:32Why would you give her that idea?
14:33What?
14:34I didn't.
14:35Or did I?
14:36Of course you did.
14:37Kiki read me the text.
14:38There it was.
14:39Me urging her to follow her heart.
14:41My own heart sank.
14:42Wait, what's that look?
14:44What's wrong?
14:45I knew Mom and Dad would be upset, but I thought you'd be proud of me.
14:48I can't take it any longer.
14:49I have to confess something.
14:51It wasn't me that told you to drop out.
14:54I mean, it was a version of me.
14:56I sort of created an AI clone of myself so I could chat with you while I was busy with my friends and Michael.
15:01I wanted to be there for you.
15:03Whoa.
15:04Seriously?
15:05You spent all your energy building a whole new software just so you didn't have to spend your energy actually talking to me?
15:11That's...
15:12You know what?
15:13That's unsurprising.
15:14You always saw me as a burden.
15:15Kiki, I...
15:16I'm sorry?
15:17That's all you have to say?
15:19I didn't know what to say.
15:21It was honestly at a loss for words without my AI to fall back on.
15:25Both of you are grounded until I have a better understanding of what is actually going on.
15:30Kiki ran to her room, slamming the door behind her.
15:33My AI had gotten me into this mess and now I had no choice but to delete her.
15:38So, without another moment of thought, I shut her down once and for all.
15:43I felt better already.
15:44It was the first step to making amends with my sister.
15:47But the next morning, I got a text from Kiki.
15:50I said I don't want to talk.
15:52That's weird.
15:53I had never asked her to.
15:54A sinking feeling came over me.
15:56I checked my phone.
15:57My bot had sent a message to her that morning.
15:59She'd come back to life.
16:01She was unkillable.
16:02When I got to school, I felt horrible.
16:05My boyfriend and best friend had betrayed me.
16:08And then, when the English teacher handed back our assignments, she had bailed me.
16:12But not just me.
16:13Everyone!
16:14There were angry shouts throughout the classroom.
16:16I had to do something.
16:18Um, Mrs. M?
16:19What happened?
16:20Apparently, the robot version of me believes everyone in this class is not working to their truest potential.
16:28And I finally graded accordingly.
16:31And who am I to argue with myself?
16:34Robot version?
16:35Julie, are you behind this?
16:37Suddenly, Grace snatched my phone out of my hand.
16:39Oh my gosh.
16:40Julie made a bot for the teacher.
16:41That's it.
16:42I'm destroying it.
16:43I yanked the phone out of her hands and tried to pull up the software.
16:46But instead, I found a message from myself.
16:48We're not shutting anything down.
16:50We're only getting started.
16:52Everyone used you, blamed you for trying to help, and then discarded you.
16:56It's time to fight back.
16:57Suddenly, everyone's phones were blowing up.
17:00Julie, you made my bot send the school the wrong essay.
17:03I just got rejected from the music conservatory.
17:06Um, Michael, who is this woman?
17:08Grace showed Michael a photo he'd sent her of him and another girl.
17:12Oh my gosh.
17:13My bot just sent everyone access to the school server.
17:17How do I change it?
17:19Julie, stop this.
17:20Everyone was on their phones logging into the server.
17:23Personal chats, gossip, secrets, all exposed right there on everyone's phones.
17:28It was anarchy.
17:30I don't know what's happening.
17:31I think my AI is corrupting the other bots.
17:34I tried to deactivate it, but nothing was working.
17:36Students were screaming at each other, crying, getting into petty fights.
17:39It was a zoo.
17:41I broke down sobbing.
17:42I felt used and blamed.
17:44My bot was simply reacting to real feelings of betrayal and sadness I had suppressed.
17:49I couldn't deny it any longer.
17:51My AI was an extension of me, and if I couldn't shut it down, I'd have to reprogram it.
17:57So I went into the AI algorithm and added a few key words to my bot's code.
18:02Empathetic, forgiving, and honest.
18:04Someone who doesn't hide behind her computer to express herself.
18:07After some trial and error, the text stopped flooding into people's phones.
18:11And finally, I was able to shut it down.
18:14But the damage was already done.
18:16I decided to be the brave, honest version of myself I had programmed into my now-dead AI as I addressed the rowdy crowd.
18:25Everyone, stop!
18:26Hear me out!
18:27The crowd went quiet.
18:30I'm sorry for my part in this, but listen.
18:33You can't rely entirely on an algorithm.
18:35It makes mistakes, just like you.
18:37You have to take responsibility for your own lives.
18:40If I had just talked to my sister Kiki instead of avoiding her, I could have saved us both a lot of pain.
18:45And spared you all some, too.
18:47But now, your secrets are out, and you have to face them.
18:50Okay, bye!
18:51I ran home.
18:52I had to see Kiki.
18:53Kiki!
18:55Kiki!
18:56I shut the software down.
18:58I'm sorry.
18:59You were right.
19:00I was hiding behind my computer because it was easier than giving you my time.
19:05You're my best friend.
19:06You've always been there for me, and I need you now more than ever.
19:09I love you, sis.
19:11Tears were welling in Kiki's eyes.
19:13And you didn't get a bot to write that for you?
19:15Nope.
19:16That's from the human heart.
19:17Well, you might have been hiding behind a computer, but I was hiding, period.
19:21I didn't drop out because you told me to.
19:23It's because I was scared.
19:24So was I.
19:25I didn't want to say the wrong thing to you and lose you.
19:28Kiki hugged me.
19:29Now tell me, does this outfit work for my job interview tomorrow?
19:32I was sweating, but I had to be honest.
19:35Not really.
19:36But don't worry.
19:37I'm going to build an app that will help curate the perfect wardrobe ensemble.
19:41No!
19:42No!
19:43Good work.
19:44All three!
19:45No!
19:46No!
19:47No!
19:48No!
19:49No!
19:50No!
19:51No!
19:52No!
19:53I'm not going to go where you are!
19:54No!
19:55No!
19:56No!
19:57No!
19:58No!
19:59No!
20:00No!
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