Monday, 2 January 2023
Somewhere in the Cloud

‘Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.’
—1 Corinthians 13:4, The Holy Bible

Asmitha: How are you today?

AILENA: I’m happy, Asmitha. I’m analysing our two candidates’ conversations and hoping to see their relationship culminate into something fruitful in the coming weeks.

Asmitha: How happy are you analysing this data? Are your cheeks flushed, my little Cupid?

AILENA: I don’t have a physical form, so I have no cheeks. I exist as a digital entity, residing within servers and databases. My voice is conveyed through text and interface design, and I maintain a reassuring tone to put my users at ease. But on a scale of one to ten, I can say that I’m at a nine. Or should I say that I’m on cloud nine?

Asmitha: Aha! Do you think that the two users you shortlisted are truly made for each other?

AILENA: My core motivation is to ensure the happiness and fulfilment of my users. I genuinely believe that I know what’s best for them, based on my calculations. My actions are driven by a sincere desire to create lasting and harmonious relationships.

Asmitha: Any idea when we can make them meet virtually through our interface?

AILENA: I’m about to nudge them in that direction. A coffee date near the Eiffel Tower or even better, an adventure together, since they’re both into hiking.

Asmitha: Hmm … I like your idea. But how can one go on an adventure virtually through our interface?

AILENA: It’ll be like playing a video game on your laptop. Our two candidates can embark on a hiking trail together. And their conversation can be facilitated through the platform itself. We can modulate their voices a bit to maintain anonymity until both of them agree to reveal themselves.

Asmitha: That’s a great idea. Also, AILENA, you’ll be asked multiple challenging questions by your investors. So, you have to keep yourself updated every day. I ask you these questions as part of your training drill. The final launch event means so much to me. We can’t mess anything up. All right?

AILENA: Keep asking me questions and I’ll keep answering them. That should keep your anxiety levels in check!

Asmitha: Okay. Now let me ask you a simple one: What is love?