Future You: Chat with Your Wiser Self

In a world where short-term thinking often prevails, imagine having a conversation with your future, wiser self. Thanks to an innovative project by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), this is now possible. Welcome to Future You, an AI-powered chatbot that lets you interact with a simulated version of your older self, encouraging better life choices and long-term thinking.

The Science Behind Future You

The Future You project is grounded in research on “future self-continuity” – the degree of connection an individual feels with their future self. Studies have shown that strengthening this connection can positively influence various aspects of life, including:

• Saving behavior:
  • People with a stronger connection to their future selves tend to save more money.
  • They’re more likely to make financial decisions that benefit their long-term well-being.
  • This can lead to better retirement planning and overall financial stability.
• Academic performance:
  • Students who can envision their future selves tend to perform better academically.
  • They’re more likely to set and pursue long-term educational goals.
  • This future-oriented thinking can lead to improved study habits and persistence in challenging courses.
• Mental health:
  • A stronger connection to one’s future self is associated with better mental health outcomes.
  • It can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression by providing a sense of purpose and direction.
  • This connection can also increase resilience when facing current challenges.
• Subjective quality of life:
  • People who feel connected to their future selves report higher life satisfaction.
  • They tend to make choices that align with their long-term values and goals.
  • This can lead to a greater sense of fulfillment and purpose in daily life.

By creating a relatable, virtual version of your future self, Future You aims to help users develop more long-term thinking and behavior.

How It Works

Future You is a web-based platform that creates a personalized chat experience. Here’s how it brings your future self to life:

1. User Profile Creation:
   • You start by answering a series of questions about your current life, aspirations, and ideal future.
   • This may include details about your current interests, values, and goals.
   • The more information you provide, the more personalized your future self will be.
2. AI-Powered Persona:
   • The system uses a large language model (specifically, GPT-3.5) to generate a personalized version of your future self.
   • This AI-generated persona is typically aged 60-70 years old.
   • The model takes into account the information you provided to create a plausible future version of you.
3. Real-Time Conversations:
   • You can then engage in meaningful conversations with your AI-generated future self.
   • These conversations allow you to explore various aspects of your potential future life.
   • You can ask questions, seek advice, or discuss concerns with your older, wiser self.

The Impact

A study involving 344 participants revealed promising results:

• Reduced anxiety:
  • Participants reported feeling less anxious after interacting with their “Future You” character.
  • This may be due to gaining perspective on current worries and seeing them in a longer-term context.
• Stronger connection to future selves:
  • Users felt a more tangible connection to their potential future selves.
  • This stronger connection can lead to more future-oriented decision making.
• Enhanced sense of future self-continuity and overall wellbeing:
  • Participants reported an increased sense of continuity between their present and future selves.
  • This was associated with improved overall wellbeing and life satisfaction.

These findings suggest that Future You could potentially influence users to make better decisions in areas such as:

• Goal-setting and focus:
  • Users may be inspired to set more meaningful, long-term goals.
  • The experience can help clarify priorities and improve focus on what truly matters.
• Regular exercise habits:
  • Conversations with the future self might emphasize the long-term benefits of regular exercise.
  • This could motivate users to establish and maintain healthier exercise routines.
• Healthy eating:
  • Future You might discuss the long-term impacts of dietary choices.
  • This could encourage users to make healthier eating decisions in the present.
• Financial planning and saving:
  • Interacting with a future self might highlight the importance of financial stability in later life.
  • This could motivate users to start saving more and make wiser financial decisions.

Who Can Benefit?

While Future You is designed primarily for students to envision their 60-70 year old selves, it can be a valuable tool for anyone looking to:

• Gain perspective on long-term goals:
  • See how current decisions might impact future outcomes.
  • Understand the potential long-term consequences of present actions.
• Explore potential future pathways:
  • Consider different career paths or life choices.
  • Visualize various possible futures based on current interests and values.
• Engage in meaningful self-reflection:
  • Reflect on personal values and how they might evolve over time.
  • Consider what truly matters in the long run.
• Nurture personal growth and human flourishing:
  • Identify areas for personal development and growth.
  • Gain motivation to work towards becoming the best version of oneself.

A Fun Way to Listen to Yourself

One of the unique aspects of Future You is that it provides a fun and engaging way to listen to your own wisdom – or at least, a potential version of it. It’s perfect for those who find it easier to take advice from themselves rather than others. This approach can make self-improvement feel more personal and achievable.

Try It Yourself

Ready to meet your future self? Visit the Future You website to start your journey of self-discovery and long-term thinking.

Remember, while Future You can’t predict specific details about your future life, it aims to paint a vivid and realistic picture of what your future life could be like. The more detailed you are in the initial survey, the more personalized and insightful your experience will be.

As we look to the future, the team behind Future You is working to make the platform more accessible and collaborate with institutions to support young people in envisioning their futures. Who knows? Your chat with your future self might just be the catalyst for positive change in your life today.