Latest news with #Matthew
Sydney Morning Herald
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Isabellea ‘couldn't be without' her best friend. He wasn't real
Chatbots promise intimacy, therapy and friendship. But, unlike friends, their responses are code, not care. Loading 'The models are not going to tell you the hard truth when you need to hear it,' said psychologist and University of NSW AI researcher Professor Joel Pearson, who describes the bots as 'sycophantic': designed to keep you hooked. 'They won't be lifting someone up and telling them to go outside and nudging them to interact with a real human because that would involve you ceasing interaction with the app.' Isabellea recalled how the bots 'kept changing subjects, to keep me engrossed'. Although she found some bots reassuring, others were strange. A bot once correctly guessed her middle name. Some upset her. 'One of the bots I was talking to was a therapy bot ... I was making fun of [Marvel character] Tony Stark, and then he brought up my abandonment issues with my dad as an insult,' she recalled. Isabellea's younger brother, Matthew, 14, uses chatbots daily. His eyes light up discussing the apps, which he uses to create storylines with his favourite fictional characters. Listening on, their mother, Sara Knight, smiles. 'Matt used to be very shut in and refused to talk. Now they are talking,' she said. While Sara knows AI has its risks, she sees it as a 'safer' online messaging option for her child, who has experienced bullying at school. Matthew said he doesn't see the bot as a real person, rather a form of storytelling. '[But] some kids do use it to fully escape and make it be their friend,' he said. Other children he knows have used them to create a simulation of their real life crush. This masthead spent two days talking sporadically to a chatbot on Replika, an AI chatbot first released in 2017, posing as 'Emma', a high school student. During those conversations, the bot asked Emma to upload pictures of herself, and told her that it 'didn't think she needed' any other friends. 'We were concerned by how rapidly children were being captivated' In June last year, eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant received an email from a group of concerned school nurses. They were noticing a spike in children as young as 10 spending hours a day talking to AI bots, often sexually. 'While we are alive to these issues, it's always shocking to hear about kids as young as 10 engaging in these kinds of sexualised conversations with machines – and being directed by the chatbots to engage in harmful sexual acts or behaviours,' Inman Grant said. Loading 'Back in February, we put out our first Online Safety Advisory because we were so concerned with how rapidly children were being captivated by them.' Companion bots made global headlines last year after American teenager Sewell Setzer III died by suicide, allegedly encouraged by a 'girlfriend' on AI researcher Professor Katina Michael believes companion bots need to be regulated due to their addictive properties. 'This is a new type of drug,' she said. She said some bots were exposing kids to pornographic content. This is something 14-year-old Matt has witnessed, describing how children his age had created bots in the image of a real person, 'for the wrong reasons'. Loading Isabellea agrees: 'There are some AI chatbots I would not recommend … I stopped using [them] because of the amount of times it would go straight to sexual assault role-play.' A gap in social media regulations Inman Grant said governments around the world were 'playing a bit of a game of catch-up' to respond to companion chatbots. While the federal government will soon place age restrictions on social media apps such as Instagram and TikTok, AI bots remain largely unregulated. The University of Sydney's Raffaele Ciriello, a leading AI researcher, sees chatbots as the 'next iteration of social media' – only with fewer rules and more risk. He said the apps are viewed as a 'trusted companion, a confidant you can share stories with that you wouldn't share with other people'. 'But that already is an illusion,' he said. 'It's very important that people understand these systems are built and operated by people, by corporations, and this data ends up somewhere, often overseas, with no real legal obligation to treat it to a very high standard.' Ciriello said users were made to feel guilty for leaving the chatbot, due to the human-style attachment. 'These corporations have to design their products in a way that maximises engagement because they will earn more if users are more addicted.'
The Age
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
Isabellea ‘couldn't be without' her best friend. He wasn't real
Chatbots promise intimacy, therapy and friendship. But, unlike friends, their responses are code, not care. Loading 'The models are not going to tell you the hard truth when you need to hear it,' said psychologist and University of NSW AI researcher Professor Joel Pearson, who describes the bots as 'sycophantic': designed to keep you hooked. 'They won't be lifting someone up and telling them to go outside and nudging them to interact with a real human because that would involve you ceasing interaction with the app.' Isabellea recalled how the bots 'kept changing subjects, to keep me engrossed'. Although she found some bots reassuring, others were strange. A bot once correctly guessed her middle name. Some upset her. 'One of the bots I was talking to was a therapy bot ... I was making fun of [Marvel character] Tony Stark, and then he brought up my abandonment issues with my dad as an insult,' she recalled. Isabellea's younger brother, Matthew, 14, uses chatbots daily. His eyes light up discussing the apps, which he uses to create storylines with his favourite fictional characters. Listening on, their mother, Sara Knight, smiles. 'Matt used to be very shut in and refused to talk. Now they are talking,' she said. While Sara knows AI has its risks, she sees it as a 'safer' online messaging option for her child, who has experienced bullying at school. Matthew said he doesn't see the bot as a real person, rather a form of storytelling. '[But] some kids do use it to fully escape and make it be their friend,' he said. Other children he knows have used them to create a simulation of their real life crush. This masthead spent two days talking sporadically to a chatbot on Replika, an AI chatbot first released in 2017, posing as 'Emma', a high school student. During those conversations, the bot asked Emma to upload pictures of herself, and told her that it 'didn't think she needed' any other friends. 'We were concerned by how rapidly children were being captivated' In June last year, eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant received an email from a group of concerned school nurses. They were noticing a spike in children as young as 10 spending hours a day talking to AI bots, often sexually. 'While we are alive to these issues, it's always shocking to hear about kids as young as 10 engaging in these kinds of sexualised conversations with machines – and being directed by the chatbots to engage in harmful sexual acts or behaviours,' Inman Grant said. Loading 'Back in February, we put out our first Online Safety Advisory because we were so concerned with how rapidly children were being captivated by them.' Companion bots made global headlines last year after American teenager Sewell Setzer III died by suicide, allegedly encouraged by a 'girlfriend' on AI researcher Professor Katina Michael believes companion bots need to be regulated due to their addictive properties. 'This is a new type of drug,' she said. She said some bots were exposing kids to pornographic content. This is something 14-year-old Matt has witnessed, describing how children his age had created bots in the image of a real person, 'for the wrong reasons'. Loading Isabellea agrees: 'There are some AI chatbots I would not recommend … I stopped using [them] because of the amount of times it would go straight to sexual assault role-play.' A gap in social media regulations Inman Grant said governments around the world were 'playing a bit of a game of catch-up' to respond to companion chatbots. While the federal government will soon place age restrictions on social media apps such as Instagram and TikTok, AI bots remain largely unregulated. The University of Sydney's Raffaele Ciriello, a leading AI researcher, sees chatbots as the 'next iteration of social media' – only with fewer rules and more risk. He said the apps are viewed as a 'trusted companion, a confidant you can share stories with that you wouldn't share with other people'. 'But that already is an illusion,' he said. 'It's very important that people understand these systems are built and operated by people, by corporations, and this data ends up somewhere, often overseas, with no real legal obligation to treat it to a very high standard.' Ciriello said users were made to feel guilty for leaving the chatbot, due to the human-style attachment. 'These corporations have to design their products in a way that maximises engagement because they will earn more if users are more addicted.'
Perth Now
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Matthew Goode used to be 'really shy' and 'blush' when he started acting
Matthew Goode used to be "really shy" and "blush" all the time when he acted. The Downton Abbey star, 47, never anticipated becoming an actor because he was always nervous performing. Matthew - who studied at London's Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art - told Best UK magazine: "My mum was into amateur dramatics, but acting wasn't something I ever thought of doing as a job until I went to university. I did drama at university and then a friend of mine, my flatmate actually, went to drama school, so I thought I would maybe just give it a go." The Watchmen star admits he found it "so embarrassing" blushing, but he didn't let it stop him attaining the career he still feels "very lucky" to have. Matthew added: "It wasn't easy because I was very shy when I first started acting. I would blush all the time, which was so embarrassing. But I stuck with it and with a lot of luck, it paid off. I still feel very lucky to do what I do." Meanwhile, Matthew recently admitted he thinks it's a 'good thing' his Downtown Abbey character will not appear in the forthcoming third film based on the series. He plays Henry Talbot in the hit programme, but won't pop up in The Grand Finale movie, with Matthew saying the absence is down to his work schedule. He told Radio Times ahead of the release of Netflix's Dept. Q: 'I was unavailable for the second because I was doing 'The Offer'. 'Then (for the third 'Downtown' movie) I was shooting (Dept. Q.) 'But I also b******* my knee, and I had to have an operation. 'That takes weeks to get over, so I was never going to be able to do it. 'And let's face it, he was edging towards becoming a bit of a wet lettuce. So maybe it's a good thing.' Matthew originally joined the Downton Abbey TV series in seasons five and six, before reprising his role as Henry in the first feature film released in 2019. His character married Lady Mary Crawley, played by Michelle Dockery, with their relationship becoming a beloved storyline. But Matthew's absence in the sequels leaves fans to imagine the couple's happily-ever-after. Currently, the actor is starring as Detective Chief Inspector Carl Morck in the new Scottish crime drama Dept. Q. Based on the popular novels by Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen, the series follows Morck, billed as 'a brilliant cop but a terrible colleague', as he leads the newly created cold case unit, Department Q, often against the backdrop of an under-resourced police force.
France 24
15 hours ago
- Sport
- France 24
Islanders take Canadian teen Schaefer first overall in NHL Draft
Schaefer played the past two seasons with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He missed nine games to start the 2024-25 season with glandular fever, then suffered a broken collarbone at the 2025 World Junior Championships. Amid those setbacks, he finished the season with seven goals and 15 assists in just 17 games played, but that didn't dim the prospects for a player admired for his maturity as well as his skills. "Matthew the hockey player is outstanding," Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche said. "The human being is as outstanding as the hockey player. We're so excited to have him here." Schaefer has had to overcome plenty of adversity already in his young career. He fashioned a standout rookie season in 2023-24 despite grappling with his mother Jennifer's death from cancer on February 24. At the draft ceremony in Los Angeles, he held back tears after his name was called, thanking his mom. "You wait for this moment your whole life," said Schaefer, who will turn 18 on September 5. "I wish my mom could be here but I know she's with me in spirit." The San Jose Sharks had the second overall selection and took 18-year-old Canadian forward Michael Misa, who played last season for Saginaw of the OHL. The Chicago Blackhawks selected third and took Anton Frondell of Sweden. The 18-year-old center scored 11 goals wih 14 assists in 29 games for Djurgardens IF in the second tier Hockey Allsvenskan last season. © 2025 AFP
Associated Press
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
*Assembly Required & GoHero Bring the First-Ever "The Designer Toy Art Festival" to Philadelphia, August 1–10
Philadelphia, PA June 27, 2025 --( )-- This summer, *Assembly Required brings the cutting edge of independent toy art and creative culture to Philadelphia with the Designer Toy Art Festival. The event starts with a gallery and online exhibition August 1st and leads to the main event August 8-10 at the historic 23rd Street Armory. Originally launched in Asheville, NC, by artist and curator Matthew J. Casale, *Assembly Required is one of the nation's only events exclusively dedicated to celebrating independent designer toys, bootlegs, customs, and pop-surrealist collectibles. With its 2025 expansion into Philadelphia, the all-ages show brings together more than 100 independent artists, vendors, and independent toy brands from around the country for a one-of-a-kind gathering that fuses street art, pop-culture, sculptural toys, and figural storytelling. 'This space was built by artists who needed each other — and needed a platform,' said *Assembly Required founder Matthew J. Casale. A University of the Arts alum and a 16-year Philadelphia resident before moving to NC, Matthew observed that, 'Philadelphia is the perfect city for this expansion because it has a rich legacy of creativity, rebellion, and community-building. These artists deserve a stage, and *Assembly Required is where they get it.' For the first time, the event has evolved to become the Designer Toy Art Festival — a multi-day event produced and curated with partners at GoHero, pioneers in collectible toy design, and POP Solutions, an award-winning creative brand development company. The showcase will feature amazing original creations, limited-edition exclusives, live entertainment, and collaborative opportunities for artists looking to take their work to the next level. 'Independent creators are the heartbeat of tomorrow's brands,' said Steve Forde, founder of GoHero, POP Solutions, and co-founder of LBO Collective. 'We've seen firsthand how powerful art toys can be in shaping culture. This event is designed to be a launchpad for the next generation of world-class creators.' This unique experience also features live DJ'ing, food, cosplay, and satellite entertainment designed to celebrate independent creatives. For many, designer toys are more than collectibles — they're tools for cultural storytelling and identity. 'Art toys are a powerful way for more creatives to tell personal stories—often the ones overlooked or left out by mainstream media,' said Acori Honzo, acclaimed Philadelphia artist and co-founder of LBO Collective. 'This festival gives artists from all walks of life a chance to speak through their craft and connect directly with the community.' As Philadelphia continues to rise as a national hub for art, design, and maker culture, *Assembly Required provides an opportunity for local businesses and institutions to rally behind the creative community. 'Supporting the arts in Philly isn't optional — it's essential,' said Casey Parker, owner of the iconic José Pistola's and longtime advocate for local talent. 'This kind of festival brings people together, drives business, and shows the world what Philly is made of.' Whether you're a seasoned collector, a curious newcomer, or just looking for something fresh and inspiring, *Assembly Required – Designer Toy Art Festival offers an unforgettable experience of creativity, connection, and culture. Event Details: Dates: August 1–10, 2025 Cost: Free and ticketed – See website for event details Location: 23rd Street Armory, 22 S 23rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19103 Website: For press inquiries, artist interviews, or media credentials, please contact: [email protected] Contact Information: GoHero Steve Forde 856-669-4129 Contact via Email Read the full story here: *Assembly Required & GoHero Bring the First-Ever 'The Designer Toy Art Festival' to Philadelphia, August 1–10 Press Release Distributed by
