Her story reads like the script of a television drama. Twenty seven-year-old Daniela’s life was interrupted by a pregnancy after she was pressured by family to become a surrogate for her sister, who was suffering from an autoimmune disease that prevented her from carrying her own child. The pregnancy was high-risk, forcing Daniela to take time off work and derailing her fledgling career in digital marketing. It was hard for her to date or go out with friends while carrying her sister’s child.
Talking to someone like Daniela about such a difficult experience can be challenging. Imagine doing that when you’re not a native Spanish speaker. But that’s exactly what those studying Spanish at Northeastern University are doing to improve their fluency and understanding of cultural issues in South America. The catch? Daniela isn’t real. She’s a chatbot created by Northeastern principal Spanish lecturer Yanet Monica Canavan.
