Can AI Friendships Become Harmful?

Artificial intelligence (AI) has changed the very meaning of what’s possible, opening doors to new ideas and solutions we once could only dream of. It’s transforming various fields, enabling better decision-making, and creating innovative ways to tackle challenges.

Interestingly, though, AI also offers a form of companionship. It can simulate friendships that feel surprisingly real. But, is there a downside? Could these digital friendships encourage harmful behaviours?

What Is an AI Friendship?

An AI friendship is essentially a relationship that a person builds with artificial intelligence (AI). And artificial intelligence, nowadays, can mean many things, which we’ll explain more about below.

An AI friendship involves humans interacting with software that is designed to simulate conversation, provide companionship, or even offer support and advice. In other words, they become companions and can be programmed to understand, respond to, listen to and engage humans in conversations in a way that mimics what we perceive as human emotions and emotional intelligence.

So, for example, this can look like asking questions, providing responses, and even remembering details from previous interactions to make the conversation feel more personalised.

Why Do People Form Friendships With Artificial Intelligence?

Many people turn to AI friends for companionship. Recent research suggests that this can be especially true if they feel lonely or isolated, as participants in this study stated that they felt more supported by AI systems than their loved ones.

AI can essentially provide a listening ear at any time of the day or night without judgment. Some AI platforms are also designed to offer encouragement, motivational messages, or advice on various life topics. This can be comforting to those who struggle with forming and/or maintaining friendships with others.

Spending a lot of time interacting with AI, however, can have an impact on our social skills and how we interact with real people. For example, we might start expecting the same kind of immediate responses or agreement that we get from AI, which isn’t how real relationships work. Real relationships need patience, understanding, and accepting that sometimes we disagree.

Is There a Rise of AI Friendships?

Yes. But it’s a relatively new topic in terms of research, so the data and what we know so far are somewhat limited.

However, what we do know is that people across online groups and forums are reporting that they have become emotionally attached to chatbots that are designed to mimic companionship. And this possibility has been on the minds of researchers for some time.  An example is the Pew Research Center. They looked at how people and AI might grow together back in 2018 and predicted that, as AI gets better, it will be able to mimic aspects of what we look for in human relationships and that machine learning will become capable of holding meaningful conversations with users. This is what we’re seeing now.

What Types of AI Are People Forming Friendships With?

There are many types of artificial intelligence systems that are designed to offer ‘friendship’ and mimic human emotions and conversation. Some examples include (but are not limited to):

• Replika: An AI companion with 10 million registered users. It’s designed to converse with users about their day, feelings, and thoughts. It can pick up on tone and learn from the interactions that they have with the individual to provide more personalised responses over time.
• Headspace: This one’s mostly a guided meditation app, but it has AI to personalise meditation experiences based on user feedback and progress. This means that users are able to develop routines that feel like a supportive friendship.
• Calm: Similar to Headspace, Calm uses AI to tailor recommendations for meditation, sleep, and relaxation based on user preferences and habits. Its goal is to become a go-to friend for managing stress and improving sleep quality.
• Social media chatbots: Some social media platforms now have chatbots added as a feature. For example, on Snapchat, users are able to have a conversation just like they’d have with a friend on the app, except it’s AI.
• Chat GPT: A language tool that can provide ongoing conversation on various topics. This platform has become very popular in the last year alone, and it now has 180.5 million active users who access the platform.

The Link Between AI Friendships and Addictive Behaviours

The connection between AI friendship apps and addictive behaviours is something researchers and universities are actively investigating – especially because these apps are easily accessible and always ready to chat and interact. This ability can lead people to develop habits that mirror behaviours seen in those with addiction.

According to a study by the University of Surrey, popular AI friendship apps may have adverse effects on users’ well-being and could cause addiction in those who are most vulnerable.

This kind of dependence starts when people begin to prefer straightforward and quick responses from AI friends over the more complex and unpredictable nature of human relationships. AI friends always provide positive feedback for staying engaged, which can make people want to spend more and more time on these platforms. This might mean they spend less time on their human relationships.

The problem is that AI apps are designed to keep users coming back. They use algorithms that learn what keeps users interested and try to give them more of that. This can make it tough for people to balance their time between virtual and real interactions.

How to Maintain a Balance Between AI and Human Interactions

Finding the right balance between using AI and staying connected with humanity may become more difficult as time goes on, especially as AI systems are developing at such a fast pace. But, it’s definitely possible.

• Keep an eye on how much time you spend with AI each day or week. Tools and apps that monitor your screen time can be a big help in making sure you’re not going overboard.
• Make an extra effort to stay close to your loved ones. Making time for catch-ups, whether through calls, video chats, or in-person, is a great way to strengthen these important relationships.
• Try to spend some time doing things that don’t involve screens or AI. It’s a refreshing change from digital interaction.
• Start seeing AI as a handy tool for certain tasks instead of a replacement for real people. This approach can help you maintain a healthy perspective on your use of technology.
• If you find it tough to control your AI usage and it’s affecting your life, reach out to a mental health professional. They can offer guidance and support to help you find a better balance.

Finding Support

Creating an understanding and maintaining a healthy balance between AI friendships and human interactions is essential for our emotional and mental well-being. AI companions can offer convenience, entertainment, and even support, but they cannot fully replicate the depth and emotional connections found in human relationships.

If you think you might be struggling with your mental health, it’s important to reach out to a professional who can help. If you need advice, reach out to us today.