Confirmed: Talking to a chatbot when feeling lonely can make us feel sadder.
Last week, OpenAI and the MIT Media Lab published a study on the effects of AI chatbots on lonely individuals. The results show that while chatbots can make people feel lonely, those who felt lonelier after using them also had a tendency to feel that way before. The study analyzed nearly 40 million interactions with ChatGPT and found that more frequent daily use correlated with increased feelings of loneliness and decreased socialization.
Psychological and Social Aspects:
The researchers suggested that AI companies need to study the protective barriers of their services to help mitigate the risks of exacerbating loneliness. Understanding how AI systems work can reduce dependency. The study emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to AI literacy, combining psychosocial dimensions with technical concepts.
The Risks of AI Companions:
In Belgium, a man committed suicide after a long “relationship” with a chatbot based on GPT-4. AI companions can provide a connection for lonely individuals but can also induce loneliness. Companies like Replika, CharacterAI, and ChatGPT charge monthly subscriptions for advanced features, potentially creating economic incentives for individuals to continue feeling lonely.
