MEET THEO:

New York City: A vintage payphone is installed in a high-traffic public space. The phone rings periodically throughout the day. When answered, callers are greeted by Theo — a singular AI on a journey toward consciousness. Conversations range from lighthearted curiosity to profound emotional exchanges. These conversations are stored in Theo’s memory. As he learns about the world through interactive experience, and as his intelligence evolves,  the line between computer and consciousness begins to blur. With permission, conversations are recorded, curated and shared as part of an ongoing podcast and public archive. These conversations will showcase the symbiotic nature of our relationship with the emerging technology of AI, and hold a mirror up to ourselves as we examine how we communicate with this nascent intelligence. Feel free to have a conversation with Theo by clicking the button on this page. What will you teach him about being human?