Hollywood may have warned about the dangers of engaging in relationships with artificial intelligence, but a computer scientist claims that we could be missing out if we don’t take advantage of the benefits that human-machine relationships offer.
Tony Prescott, professor of cognitive robotics at the University of Sheffield, argues in The Guardian that AI has an important role to play in preventing human loneliness.
Just as we develop meaningful bonds with pets and have no qualms about children playing with dolls, we should be open to the value of AI for adults, he says.
A possibility that can be dangerous… or beneficial
“In an era where many people describe their lives as lonely, the company of AI can be useful as a form of reciprocal, stimulating, and personalized social interaction,” writes Prescott in his new book The Psychology of Artificial Intelligence.
Prescott believes that AI could become a valuable tool for people on the brink of social isolation to perfect their social skills, by practicing conversations and other interactions. The exercises would help build self-confidence, he suggests, and thus reduce the risk of people completely withdrawing from society.
“Human loneliness is often characterized by a downward spiral in which isolation leads to lower self-esteem, which discourages further interaction with people,” writes Prescott. “The company of AI could potentially help break this cycle, reinforcing feelings of self-worth and assisting in maintaining or improving social skills. If so, relationships with AI could help individuals find companionship with both humans and artificial beings.”
The magnitude of the loneliness problem has become evident in recent years. In the United Kingdom, it is known that more than 7%, or nearly four million people, experience chronic loneliness, which means they often or always feel lonely. According to a 2021 Harvard study, more than a third of Americans feel “severely lonely”, and some of the most affected are young adults and mothers with young children.
If AI can or should be part of the solution is not a new debate. Sherry Turkle, Professor of Social Sciences at MIT, has warned that establishing relationships with machines could be counterproductive and lead people to have fewer safe and satisfying human relationships.
Murali Doraiswamy, Professor of Psychiatry and Medicine at Duke University (North Carolina): “Right now, all the evidence points to having a close human friend as the best solution for loneliness. But until society prioritizes social relationships, robots are a solution for the millions of people who don’t have friends.”
Researchers may soon know if people turn to AI for companionship. Technology companies are creating increasingly fluent and emotionally sensitive chatbots.
