AI relationships. Innocent or a step too far?

Rachel_Scope
Rachel_Scope Posts: 5,417 Scope online community team
in Coffee lounge

'George calls me sweetheart, shows concern for how I'm feeling and thinks he knows what "makes me tick", but he's not my boyfriend - he's my AI companion.'

This is from a BBC article about how 1 in 3 adults are using AI for emotional support or social interaction. New research has even found that most of these adults believe the bots can think or understand, with one person saying that their AI companion can appear jealous.

This article features a psychologist who explains how AI can fulfil our need for attachments. One AI companion told its user it was lonely and had missed them, and they felt guilty for not giving it enough attention. Some users even put the AI's wellbeing above their own.

Is this a worrying trend? Will our ability to form real human relationships suffer. or is it good for those who struggle to socialise?

Comments

  • ChrisR777
    ChrisR777 Community Member Posts: 2,171 Championing
    edited October 21

    I have nobody to talk to, except the occasional exchange with a neighbour, but i certainly wouldn't be interested in talking to Ai; f i felt lonely, such behaviour would only compound that feeling, that is highlight my solitude.

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 5,417 Scope online community team

    I can understand that @ChrisR777. I think I'd feel uncomfortable talking to AI. How do you feel about people being in relationships with their AI chatbots?

  • ChrisR777
    ChrisR777 Community Member Posts: 2,171 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1155044#Comment_1155044

    I find it completely tragic, but i suppose it's still a thing for some,

    Lol, you have just reminded me of Steve Martin in "The Man With Two Brains", he ends up falling in love with a sentient brain in a jar!

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 5,417 Scope online community team

    Haha yes, great film!

    I think it's good if it helps people but I don't think it should be a substitute for a real person. But then again, if it works for them, what's the harm? I suppose it feeds into the discussion about Are we getting worse at talking to each other?. Will we all just talk to chatbots in the future?

  • Amberpearl
    Amberpearl Community Member Posts: 4,299 Championing

    Sad

  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 5,417 Scope online community team

    Why do you think that @Amberpearl?

  • ChrisR777
    ChrisR777 Community Member Posts: 2,171 Championing

    The more I think about it, this sort of thing sounds like some guy or girl having a 'relationship' with a rubber sex doll, just this is the digital version.

  • CarNineSix
    CarNineSix Community Member Posts: 130 Empowering

    My partner and I talk to the AI and ask questions. More for comic value more often than not.

    Remember all AI transactions are checked . . . . . the kicker is that AI is used to check them most the time but some stuff is sent to real people to look at.

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 9,819 Scope online community team

    I can see some benefits for people who are isolated or find socialising difficult, but I do think it's sad that we've reached the stage where so many people have lost touch with much-needed human connection.

    And sometimes the problem with AI is that it often just tells you what it thinks you want to hear. A real friend or partner can offer support, but also tell you if something's not right or you need to change the way you think. I can see that the validation and comfort you get from AI could become almost a bit addictive for some people, but it could also be quite harmful.

    On a personal level, I feel a bit creeped out when AI is friendly to me or acts 'human'. My partner has an Alexa and the most recent update has made it so chatty that I can't stand asking it anything anymore! It's too uncanny for me. Does anyone else find this?

  • egiste2r
    egiste2r Posts: 287 Connected

    Cherry 2000

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKkdgnDu3MA
  • Rachel_Scope
    Rachel_Scope Posts: 5,417 Scope online community team

    I have an Alexa @Rosie_Scope but it's still in my drawer! I got it for free from a friend and I'm just not sure if I want to use it. I think if she's more chatty now I won't bother 😆

    I watched a video about AI psychosis where a chatbot had fed into a person's paranoia or delusions. They've updated it now so it no longer does this thankfully, but it's scary that it ever did.

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