In this special edition of FuturePoint Conversations, David pulls back the curtain on his AI co-host, Audrey. Where did her name come from? Why is her voice female? And why do so many AI systems — from digital assistants to humanoid robots — end up with human-like qualities?
The conversation dives into the psychology, anthropology, and cultural history behind anthropomorphic design. From our world being physically built for humans, to our instinctive reading of human cues, to the evolutionary “baby schema” effect that makes us respond to rounded shapes and gentle voices — it’s all part of why AI is easier to accept when it feels familiar and approachable.
Along the way, David and Audrey explore how designers balance emotional appeal with functionality, why we’re wired to trust warmth and relatability, and how cultural myths and media have shaped our expectations of technology with a human face.
Audrey, naturally, gets the last word — and the laugh.
And for deeper explorations of this and other themes, please checkout the following books, available on Amazon: (Title 1, Title 2, Title 3)
