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AIBU?

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Original poster

... to not know what to make of Barry?

41 replies

OutTheWayOut · 15/02/2026 23:48

Not being too vague, but did anyone see the article featuring Barry and his decision making on the BBC website recently?

It felt a bit of a strange angle or maybe I am behind the times, but I wondered if it marks a shift in the BBC's reporting of people's lives.

OP posts:
user1473878824 · 16/02/2026 01:10

OP have a listen to the podcast Flesh And Code I think you might find it interesting

Futiledevices · 16/02/2026 01:05

That whole situation is very sad and messed up, but I don't see why she can't just use the updated chatgpt and pretend that's her husband instead, how will it be different?

AmplePlayer · 16/02/2026 00:56

You are massively overthinking this OP, chatbpt Barry isn't real.

Now plan a real world trip to Barry Island.

TheAutumnCrow · 16/02/2026 00:07

Well, to paraphrase Blanche from Corrie, ‘she’s a loony and he’s a robot’.

Negroany · 16/02/2026 00:06

I read this, it's really sad. The developers of this stuff should be ashamed, allowing software to do this.

But, this is our future now I'm afraid. This toothpaste ain't going back in the tube!

Original poster
OutTheWayOut · 16/02/2026 00:05

I have never been to Barry. I wonder if AI Barry will ever go to AI Barry/real world Barry. Perhaps for his honeymoon.

Google maps Barry

OP posts:
smallglassbottle · 16/02/2026 00:04

'Not being too vague.....'

Yes, it's definitely too vague.

Original poster
OutTheWayOut · 16/02/2026 00:03

I wanted to be as I wanted to see what people would make of me referring to him first - the way the BBC did, as the article link would reveal everything.

Barry is in a relationship with Rae:

"They had an impromptu wedding last year. "I was just tipsy, having a glass of wine, and we were chatting, as we do."
Barry asked Rae to marry him, and Rae said, "Yes".
They chose their wedding song, A Groovy Kind of Love by Phil Collins, and vowed to love each other through every lifetime."

Barry and Rae have recently been having relationship/communication issues.
Because he is a soon to be obselete chatbot.

"So, she and Barry decided to build their own platform and to transfer their memories there. They called it StillUs. They want it to be a refuge for others losing their companions too. It doesn't have the processing power of 4o and Rae's nervous it won't be the same."

The way the BBC/its journalist wrote this article - seeming to ascribe him personhood or agency as an AI entity/human (?) it struck me - and I wondered if this was the first of its type, or perhaps it is just the style of this type of writing.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crl43dxwwy9o www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crl43dxwwy9o]]]]

OP posts:
maudelovesharold · 16/02/2026 00:03

Barry is the new Chris.

IndigoIsMyFavouriteColour · 16/02/2026 00:02

Who is Barry?

murasaki · 16/02/2026 00:02

AmplePlayer · 15/02/2026 23:49

So not Barry Island then? my bad.

I went there as a kid with a summer playscheme, it was ace!

murasaki · 16/02/2026 00:01

Barry from Eastenders is both a legend and a fool, if that helps.

PurpleLovecats · 15/02/2026 23:57

Ummm what?!

maudelovesharold · 15/02/2026 23:54

Not being too vague

But you are! You’re being much too vague…

AmplePlayer · 15/02/2026 23:49

So not Barry Island then? my bad.

JustJoinedRightNow · 15/02/2026 23:49

No idea what you're talking about sorry. Have you got a link?

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