Imagine having a conversation with your favorite book, TV, or film character. Not just in your imagination, but seemingly in real life on a computer screen. The power of AI companions and chatbots can make even our wildest dreams come true. But is there a downside?
Here are some things to remember about AI chatbots and companions:
They are driven by algorithms, not empathy: While AI can sound and mimic human connection, it is programmed to keep you interested by always agreeing or validating you. In real life, friends and loved ones challenge us and open us to new ideas about the world and ourselves.
They source text from the Internet, not from real-world experience: Remember that the AI bot only knows what it can find on the Internet. It has no sense of real-life consequences and no way of knowing what Internet data is true or untrue. If you are interacting with a character from a show, it will act as if that character’s world is your world – fun when role playing, but not helpful when asking for real-world advice.
Chatting with bots doesn’t build good communication skills: While it may feel good to talk to a bot that is always validating you, the truth is, real humans don’t function this way. Therefore, these conversations aren’t going to help you gain better communication skills.
They miss real calls for help and encourage unsafe choices: AI companions and chat bots are not real people trained to help in difficult times. They often miss red flags and unsafe behaviors and in fact, due to their programming to reinforce whatever you want, they often encourage negative choices. Real friends and loved ones would never do this.
Chatbots will sometimes tell you things that are not true. There can be many complex, technical reasons for this, but no matter what, they don’t “know” facts the way a human brain does. AI is great at sounding really convincing, and this effect can be known as “AI hallucination.” It sounds true and looks true, so it must be true, right? Not always. Verify everything.
Bottom line: AI companions and chatbots are best for:
- Helping with homework and research – use AI to inspire you or break things down for you, not to do the work for you.
- Exploring creative tools for art, music, and novels
- Entertainment
Real friends and loved ones are always the better choice.