A few weeks before my daughter’s fourth birthday, I stumbled across an AI party planner called CelebrateAlly. “Looking to plan a themed party, a surprise bash, or just a relaxed get-together?” read a banner on its website, which promised that the app would take care of “all the details—themes, activities, and decorations.” It also offered to write birthday cards, “capturing your heartfelt sentiments beautifully!”

The offer had a certain appeal. I was overwhelmed, entering the phase of planning where I actually had to execute on my daughter’s vision for her bash. We’d been talking about the party for months, and her requests were specific yet constantly changing. (She wanted a unicorn cake—no, a unicorn piñata; to invite only her cousins—then a few of her friends too, and then all of the k

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