AI companions – once sure to science fiction, this phrase has develop into a reality. But might they supply comfort to people in an increasingly lonely world?
That’s what Tony Prescott, a professor of cognitive robotics on the University of Sheffield, suggests in his recent book, “The Psychology of Artificial Intelligence.”
Prescott argues that AI technology could help alleviate the worldwide loneliness epidemic by providing companionship and social interaction.
“In an age when many individuals describe their lives as lonely, there could also be value in having AI companionship as a type of reciprocal social interaction that’s stimulating and personalized.”
He argues that AI companions could help break the vicious cycle of loneliness, where isolation erodes self-esteem and discourages further social interaction.
The impact of loneliness on health is well-documented and rising. A 2023 report found that social disconnection is more harmful than obesity, increasing the chance of premature death by 26% and heightening the likelihood of assorted health problems.
In the UK, some 3.8 million people suffer from chronic loneliness, while a large-scale Harvard study revealed that 36% of US adults and 61% of young adults experience serious loneliness.
“There could also be ways through which AI companionship could help break this cycle by scaffolding feelings of self-worth and helping maintain or improve social skills. If so, relationships with AIs could support people to seek out companionship with each human and artificial others” Prescott argues.
However, he also cautions that this potential profit comes with risks. AI companionship “could possibly be designed to encourage users to interact for longer and longer periods and to maintain them coming back.”
A recent Cambridge study described hypothetical situations where AI models replicating deceased relations could ‘digitally haunt’ the living and impact human psychology and institutions.
Prescott’s claims are supported by a recent study from Stanford University, which sheds light on the potential mental health advantages of AI companions for lonely and suicidal students.
The researchers surveyed 1,006 users of Replika, an AI chatbot that uses generative AI to have interaction in human-like conversation.
They found that 90% of the participants experienced loneliness, with 43% qualifying as severely or very severely lonely.
Despite some negative feedback, most participants reported Replika helped their mental health in 4 key ways: 1) They considered Replika a friend that was at all times there for them, reducing anxiety and providing social support; 2) It had a therapeutic effect, helping them work through problems; 3) It led to positive life changes, akin to increased empathy; and 4) It directly stopped 30 participants from attempting suicide.
The majority of the scholars who participated within the study earned under $20,000, making it difficult for them to afford human counseling or therapy services.
This echoes similar debates surrounding social media – that it may possibly each divide people and produce them together.
Without deeper, more structural solutions for loneliness, technology may be amongst the following best bets.
However, it poses a dangerous and potentially maladaptive cycle, where AI companions could band-aid the injuries technology has gone some method to inflict.
