Technology is progressing faster than ever and AI is increasingly ready to help you deal with more nuanced and existential needs than checking the weather forecast or switching on the lights for you.
As our interactions with technology become increasingly personalized to the point of challenging the traditional concepts of companionship, you cannot help wondering if AI with its revolutionary potential in many walks of life can also provide the much-needed support - and even be the cure for loneliness.
The wider shifts in communication and AI's seeping into seemingly ever more aspects of our lives have definitely primed our acceptance and ease into AI companionship - you have all of the messages, banter and friendly support you require online without needing to step out the house.
A recent survey of the UK public found that over 70% of the participants believe that AI chatbots can be key players in reducing loneliness, with over 50% participants stating that they believe the development of this AI technology can significantly improve quality of life.
Before jumping on the AI companion bandwagon we need to further understand the impact on 'real life' social interactions that this new technology creates, the serious ethical issues that may come up, as well as any potential privacy and security threats and other risks that embracing an AI companion may entail.
The upsides of AI companionship 24/7 availability: Your AI companion has no other commitments, so they are available round the clock, providing companionship and support whenever needed.
While opening up can greatly strengthen relationships 'in real life', we can express ourselves freely without fear of judgement and criticism with an AI companion.
If you're shy or maybe have a bit of a niche hobby or interest, an AI companion acts as a solid soundboard to share your feelings and ideas.
The downsides of AI companionship Lack of genuine emotion: While AI companions can simulate emotions and empathy, they lack the genuine emotional understanding and depth that human relationships offer.
As AI companionship models continue to grow, so must the vigilance in ensuring that the information shared is secure and private.
Dependency risks: Reliance on AI for companionship may lead to social isolation and hinder the development of meaningful human connections.
Limited understanding: AI companions may struggle to understand the complexity of human emotions and context - let's be honest, many humans struggle with this too.
Privacy concerns: AI companionship creates an environment where plenty of personal information that you might not typically trust a stranger with, is shared.
Think about it - if you share with your AI companion, your birthday, the name of your childhood pet or favorite food, the chances of whoever gets access to that data of being able to guess your passwords magnifies, putting you at greater risk of identity theft and fraud.
Exploitation: As AI advances, cybercriminals may find opportunities to exploit users of AI companionship for harmful purposes.
Invasion of personal space: AI companion programs that use cameras or microphones for interaction may inadvertently invade your privacy if not properly safeguarded.
AI companionship offers a new and certainly exciting approach to addressing our human need for connection and support.
It has the potential to greatly reduce loneliness, and with its ability to learn from its interactions, AI companionship can even go on to specialize in interacting with those suffering from mental health or communication difficulties.
There is no 'one size fits all' solution, and everyone could respond differently to the same message, especially when they can't see their companion's body language to indicate tone or deeper meaning.
If you're diving into the world of AI companionship, be mindful of the personal information you share, take sufficient security safeguards to protect your data together with a balanced consideration of the messages and information received, and report anything that seems suspicious.
This Cyber News was published on www.welivesecurity.com. Publication date: Wed, 10 Jan 2024 11:13:10 +0000