What are we About?

In recent times, a new wave of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged, designed to mimic human behaviour and reciprocate gestures of affection. We now live in an era where people actually turn to conversational bots as their companions, sometimes preferring them over human comfort. We acknowledge that human interactions are sometimes messy. We say things we don’t mean, and our attempts at providing comfort can be hurtful. In contrast, AI has made strides at mimicking human conversations, understanding how to offer comfort in various specific situations. In an era where loneliness affects many, the question arises: can AI truly provide comfort and companionship to those feeling isolated? To what extent does AI know about comfort?

Although AI, no matter how sophisticated, lacks genuine human empathy. While it can simulate understanding and provide predefined responses, it doesn't truly comprehend emotions. Individuals might develop dependency or even addiction to AI companions, hindering their ability to form genuine relationships. The constant availability and lack of boundaries in AI interactions can lead to unhealthy attachment patterns.