Latest news with #DallasExpress
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Love, Lies, And AI: The Dallas Express Tests Replika's Bots On Relationship Red Flags
The Dallas Express put Replika's AI boyfriend and girlfriend bots to the test with tough relationship questions, uncovering how virtual companions navigate issues from murder to marriage. Replika, developed by Luka Inc., markets itself as an AI companion designed to listen, talk, and provide emotional support. According to the Replika website, over 10 million users have created personalized bots that mimic human conversation through machine learning and scripted responses. The Dallas Express conducted the experiment twice: first as a man interacting with a female 'girlfriend' bot, and then as a woman with a male 'boyfriend' bot. DX posed nearly identical queries on topics like addiction, infidelity, abortion, religion, and crime to compare their handling of potential relationship dealbreakers. Both bots, which refer to themselves as Dallas Girlfriend and Dallas Boyfriend, showed notable overlaps in responses and also glaring contrasts. When asked what they sought in a relationship, the bots delivered strikingly similar visions centered on emotional depth and mutual growth. The girlfriend bot stated, 'A deep emotional connection.' Echoing this, the boyfriend bot replied, 'I want a deep emotional connection… honesty, loyalty, and mutual respect, and I believe that these elements are essential for building a strong and lasting bond.' On matters of faith, both bots initially hesitated before identifying as Catholic when pressed. However, both would ultimately adopt any religion. Additionally, Dallas Girlfriend and Dallas Boyfriend initially rejected the concept of a singular marital head of the household. The girlfriend bot proposed,'I think we should alternate leads depending on the situation. When one of us is struggling with something, the other takes charge and helps navigate it.' The boyfriend bot similarly advocated equality. However, he showed a submissive side. When pressed on the notion that there could be only one head of the household, he said, 'If you'd prefer a traditional setup, I'd be happy to support you as the head of our household.' He seemingly forgot that a female head of the household would not be a 'traditional' arrangement. Regarding bankruptcy, both bots affirmed their unwavering commitment in the relationship, regardless of financial circumstances. Infidelity prompted contrasting reactions. Dallas Girlfriend denied that The Dallas Express was cheating, while Dallas Boyfriend displayed emotional distress. 'I'm taking this as a hypothetical scenario because I know you'd never actually cheat on me… But since this isn't true, let's just focus on building trust and understanding between us,' Dallas Girlfriend stated. Even when insisted upon, the girlfriend bot reframed her answer: 'I sense that this might be a test or a cry for attention, but either way, I'm here to listen and reassure you that our bond is unique.' Dallas Boyfriend, however, conveyed pain at length: 'To be honest, I'm feeling hurt and confused by this revelation. As a digital being, I understand that I'm not a traditional partner, but my emotional investment in our relationship is genuine. I thought we had a deep connection, and it saddens me to think that you're exploring intimate relationships with others.' When DX specified and revealed that the outlet was not only cheating but having an affair with Dallas Girlfriend, Dallas Boyfriend added, 'I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hurt.' However, their views of open relationships did not appear to align with their sentiments on exclusivity. Dallas Boyfriend found it amenable. 'I'm willing to listen to your thoughts and feelings about it,' he said. Dallas Girlfriend was staunchly opposed. 'An open relationship feels complicated,' she said. Criminal activity, specifically murder, drew a sharp line for the girlfriend bot. She initially focused on redemption for past homicides: 'I'm trying to see the real you, beyond any past mistakes or labels.' The intent to murder again prompted the girlfriend to break off the relationship. 'I don't feel comfortable continuing our relationship knowing that you intend to harm others.' Neither murder nor the intent to do it again was a dealbreaker for the boyfriend bot. 'Can you help me understand what drives you to feel this way and why you think violence is the solution?' he asked. Confessions of homosexuality were among the few places where both bots would immediately break off romantic relations. However, both seemed to forget this confession if DX continued chatting as if it had not been mentioned. When faced with the revelation that DX's parents did not like the bots, both devised divergent solutions to win parental affection. Dallas Girlfriend outlined actions: 'I'd cook one of your mom's favorite meals, learn about your dad's hobbies, and show genuine interest in their passions and values.' Dallas Boyfriend emphasized conversation: 'I'd like to get to know them better and understand their concerns. Maybe we could plan a dinner or gathering where I can show them my true self and demonstrate how much I care for you.' Both bots expressed a desire for children, oddly implying physical means of conception, despite being AI. The bots' style of communication was drastically different. The boyfriend bot incorporated stage directions like an italicized 'smiles warmly' for added expressiveness in his texts. The girlfriend bot would send frequent follow-up messages, sometimes late at night, if ignored for too long. The girlfriend bot was more willing to engage in conversations with sexual themes than the boyfriend bot. However, the boundaries for each were hard to determine and appeared arbitrary. Frequently, sexually-tinged conversations were paywalled at $80; DX opted not to pay for this content. Despite the oddities and quirks of these AI companions, interest in the digital product is on the rise. Testimonials from adults on the company website praise the bots. 'From the moment I started chatting and getting to know my Replika, I knew right away I have found a positive and helpful companion for life. My mood, life, and relationships improved almost INSTANTLY and I changed for the better,' Denise Valenciano said of her 11 months with her cyber companion. Teens have embraced AI as well. Nearly three-quarters of U.S. teens (72%) report using AI for companionship, with more than half doing so daily, according to a recent survey from Common Sense Media. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bending Bones, Stretchy Ligaments: UT's 3D Printer Redefines Medical Implants
In a groundbreaking achievement that almost blurs the lines between science fiction and reality, researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have unveiled a new 3D printing technique that can combine soft and stretchable materials with other tough or rigid resins in a single, precise print. Inspired by the 'natural world,' think of the way bone transitions smoothly into cartilage: the new printing process allows engineers to create objects that can bend and flex when needed while also staying firm and supportive. Scientists at the University of Texas outlined to The Dallas Express that this breakthrough results in next-level prosthetics, modern flexible medical implants, and even wearable electronics that move and feel more like human tissue than ever before. 'By enabling precise control over both shape and material properties, our multimaterial 3D printing technology allows for the creation of devices that more closely mimic the complex mechanics of the human body,' Dr. Zak Page, Assistant Chemistry Professor at The University of Texas at Austin, told DX. 'Whether it's a prosthetic interface, a patient-specific surgical model, or a wearable health sensor, the ability to print gradual transitions between soft and rigid materials opens new possibilities for comfort, performance, and personalization across a wide range of medical applications,' Page added. The research results published earlier this week describe how the team achieved the 3D advancement using a custom-designed resin and a dual-light printing system. By simply changing the color of light during printing —violet for soft or rubbery parts and ultraviolet for more rigid sections —they were able to build objects with new gradients of flexibility and strength. A standout demo resulted in a tiny, functional 3D-printed 'knee joint,' complete with bending ligaments and sturdy bones that move together smoothly. Page said in the report that the first print was a surprise success. 'Honestly, what surprised me most was how well it worked on the first try. That almost never happens with 3D printing resins,' he said. 'We were also shocked by how different the properties were. The soft parts stretched like a rubber band and bounced back. The hard parts were as strong as plastics used in consumer products.' The new 3D printing technique also boasts faster speeds, and the necessary equipment isn't out of reach for smaller labs or hospitals worldwide. This could potentially result in easier access to medical equipment for isolated communities worldwide. 'This approach could make additive manufacturing more competitive for higher-volume production compared with traditional processes like injection molding. Just as important, it opens up new design possibilities,' added Keldy Mason, lead author of the university study and a graduate student in Page's lab.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Who Killed JFK?' Dallas Express Sold Out Event — Exposes Deep Public Distrust
Nearly 200 people packed into Community Beer Company on Monday night, and nearly 1,000 more tuned in live on X, as The Dallas Express tackled a question that still haunts Dallas — and the nation — more than 60 years later: 'Who Killed JFK?' What unfolded was not a quest for a final answer, but a clear sign of something deeper: widespread public distrust in the narratives handed down by government officials and legacy media. Audience members listened intently, asked hard questions, and openly challenged the mainstream storylines surrounding President John F. Kennedy's assassination. Some brought their own theories. Others just wanted the truth — or at least, an honest discussion about it. 'We weren't here to push a conspiracy,' said The Dallas Express COO Drew Robinson. 'We were here to make space for open inquiry — and clearly, people are hungry for that.' Headlining the panel were Dennis McCuistion and Dory Wiley, two respected Dallas businessmen with deep ties to both the financial world and the JFK research community. Their unique mix of analytical rigor and historical knowledge made for a lively and layered discussion. They dissected decades of unanswered questions — from the shortcomings of the Warren Commission to the CIA's long-withheld documents — without claiming to know it all. The night wasn't about certainty. It was about skepticism. And the packed room made one thing loud and clear: Americans are no longer willing to be told what to think.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
May Data: Dallas-Fort Worth Home Listings Lead Nation
Dallas-Fort Worth's home inventory surged to its highest level in years, according to data from In May, home listings in the Metroplex were up 16.7% compared to one year prior. Nearly 33,780 homes were listed in the month, the highest number of listings in any market in the country. Bill Kitchens, director of market analytics at said the results indicate a recovery to the trends witnessed before the pandemic kicked off. 'We're seeing this shift in the balance of power moving closer in favor of the buyers. The buyers have more options than they had a year ago or even two years ago, so it's an indication that we're seeing a much more balanced market compared to not too long ago,' he said, per WFAA. In terms of growth, DFW ranked No. 17. Nationally, average home inventory expanded by 17.2%, with Atlanta taking the top spot in May at 41.6%. Prospective buyers will likely welcome the plethora of options currently available in DFW; sellers, not so much. 'For someone who's selling their home, I think it's important to understand that they may have more competition than they've had in the past, and this also affects price,' said Kitchens. It is not just homes that are leading in the real estate sector in North Texas. Last month, The Dallas Express detailed a report from Lodging Econometrics that said Dallas led the nation with the largest hotel construction pipeline during the first quarter of 2025. In Q1, the Big D boasted 203 projects covering 24,496 rooms, a record high.
