By Reese Rankmore
Over the past few years, various forms of Artificial Intelligence have become main parts of many people's lives. While many people use AI as a search engine or to do their homework, one use that is rising in popularity involves relationships. While some people draw the line at relationship advice from AI, others are taking it to the next level and having full-out romantic “relationships” with chatbots. While some may see this as an exciting glimpse into the future, there are definitely some issues to be aware of.
For one, it’s important that people think critically and take everything they hear with a grain of salt. AI chatbots like ChatGPT were built to engage users and keep them coming back to the platform, and one of the ways they do this is by telling users exactly what they want to hear. For example, if someone goes to AI and asks them who was right in an argument between them and their parter, the chatbot is going to validate the user’s side to keep them on the platform. Many people are not aware of this or choose to ignore it, which leads to them using these sources as unhealthy external validation or thinking they’re getting advice from a neutral party when they are not.
As previously mentioned, the level of usage of chatbots varies from person to person. Many people use AI as a sounding board to test out conversation starters and understand their human relationship a little bit better, similar to how many people use search engines to look for relationship advice. However, the waters get a little murkier when people become so obsessed that they form romantic “relationships”, where they somewhat personify the chatbot and see them as their spouse or partner. This gets even trickier when, as illustrated in an article from The Guardian interviewing people with AI companions, multiple interviewees mentioned that they’re actually married to a human, but still have very romantic conversations and relationships with their AI partner that their human partner may or may not know about. This raises ethical questions about cheating and the health of their real-life relationships.
On the point of human relationships, the general increased reliance on AI services has done a number on how humans interact with each other. Many people who use these chatbots see them as just as good as a real-life friend – it listens to them, helps them out with their issues, and may provide an easier way to discuss tough topics than with a person. However, some fear that the validating nature of chatbots sets unrealistic expectations for real human relationships. It’s not realistic to expect that your relationship with your partner will always be sunshine and rainbows like ChatGPT – there’s going to be arguments and tough situations. The COVID lockdowns proved just how important real-life human relationships are, and increased reliance on AI as friends or partners seems like a step in the wrong direction.
Privacy and safety concerns should also be considered. One way that these chatbots make the relationships seem more personal and real is by retaining information from previous conversation sessions to call back on – but people are concerned (as they should be) about how much of their personal data is being stored, and what it’s being used for without their knowledge. Furthermore, there have been many reported cases of “AI-induced psychosis”, where people (who are often vulnerable) turn to chatbots to help them solve serious problems in times of desperate need. In many situations, AI has affirmed people’s delusions, sent them into a downward spiral, or not been able to recognize serious signs of distress.
In conclusion, whether you’re terrified and keeping your distance from ChatGPT or you’ve named your chatbot, there is still a lot of grey area in AI and especially how people have come to use it. In the future, it will be interesting to see what other research comes out about this topic when more data is available. Until then, be aware of both the opportunities and risks that come with this emerging technology.
Sources: “The people turning to AI for dating and relationship advice” BBC; “Why Are We Talking to Robots About Our Relationships?” Psychology Today; “The women in love with AI companions: ‘I vowed to my chatbot that I wouldn’t leave him’” The Guardian; “AI chatbots and digital companions are reshaping emotional connection” American Psychological Association.