AI-assisted father goes viral for reading to baby with chatbot

San Francisco software engineer Alvin Sng has drawn significant attention and broad criticism on social media for his proposal to use artificial intelligence to read bedtime stories to his newborn child. Sng, who works at AI company Factory, suggested he could train an AI model to read to the baby in his own voice when his wife asked him to read a book.

Sng initially shared the experience positively, but his since-deleted post quickly garnered millions of views and a flood of negative comments. Many users interpreted Sng's approach as an example of the "tech bro" attitude, prioritizing technology even in personal and emotional contexts.

The criticism also touched on deeper concerns about the potential misuse of AI and its impact on human relationships. Some commenters expressed worry that such a focus on technology could alienate parents from their children and diminish deeper connections. Sng initially defended himself, stating he wants to spend time with his baby but prefers to automate tasks that don't require his direct presence.

Amid the discourse, Sng deleted his original post and announced he would revert to reading bedtime stories traditionally. The incident, however, highlights AI's growing role in parenting. A recent survey indicates a majority of American parents have used AI for parenting assistance, with many finding it helpful, though some follow AI's advice over their own instincts.