VR babies will become commonplace in the next 50 years

Artificial intelligence expert Catriona Campbell has predicted that one in five couples will opt for a digital child over a real infant by the 2070s.

The computer-generated children will exist in the virtual metaverse and will come to life at the touch of a button while parents will interact with them through next-generation AR (augmented reality) glasses and haptic gloves – which give a realistic sense of touch when handling virtual or holographic objects.

The 'kids' will speak with simulated emotional responses, have a digital memory, and will grow up in real-time. The virtual children could be accessible through a subscription service for as little as £20 per month.

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