Applications like Chat GTP and Gemini have been around for several years already. But wow, doesn’t it seem like all of a sudden these AI platforms have taken on a profound role in our decision making?
Hardly a day goes by when I’m not consulting one or both of these chatbots about this or that. A good example is a trip I’m planning for the fall. I’ve been tapping Gemini for information about flights, trains, hotels, points of interest, weather patterns, and other factors.
These applications churn out information in a remarkably quick way, no matter how seemingly complex the question. The information is not always accurate and it’s sometimes contradictory. This is especially true for categories such as pricing and other fast-changing details. That’s why I often check to see which sources the platforms rely on to gather their feedback.
But overall, it’s breathtaking how helpful the AI platforms can be for delivering what you need where and when you need it. They’re extremely forthcoming with information and willing to drill deeper and deeper into a query. And they’re conversational and polite with responses as well.
It really does seem like I’m carrying on a conversation with a real person, so much so that I often feel compelled to type “please” when I’m looking for information, and “thank you” at the end of the process. Here’s a typical response to the latter:
“You are very welcome! If you ever want to chat about this again, bounce some ideas around, or explore new topics, I will be right here. Have a wonderful rest of your day! Before you go, is there any other topic or task you need help with today?”
The chatbots have become so effective in how they interact with humans that many people are turning to them for companionship. The platforms have been trained to simulate humans and respond in an entirely friendly manner.
A new survey by Elon University’s Imagining the Digital Future Center finds that 27 percent of 4,286 U.S. adults who use the Internet have significant emotional or social interactions with AI models such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and Copilot.
These AI users leverage the models in ways that build bonds of connection, confidence and trust, according to the university. Some have developed aspects of reliance on AI tools and prefer interacting with them to dealing with humans, it says. They confide in the chatbots, seeking advice on important life issues. They take part in roleplay scenarios that they might encounter in romantic or other settings. Many would be unhappy to lose access to their bots.
Thirty one percent of those who use AI for social and emotional purposes said they consider their AI chatbot to be a friend. Nearly half turn to AI when they need advice on how to handle difficult situations with other people. And 39 percent said AI understands them better than most people.
The ongoing rise of AI in our lives is part of a growing dominance of digital technology that’s been going on for decades. I’ve seen and written about a lot of this in my job as a freelance business and technology writer.
Again, tech offers wonderful opportunities to make our lives easier. What’s concerning is how reliant we are all becoming on machines—not just to provide us with information, communications, entertainment, and other important functions—but in some cases to replace the roles humans normally fill.
AI only mimics human thinking. An encounter with a chatbot is a simulated illusion rather than an actual, two-way relationship. Machines, at least for the moment, can’t truly care about people or feel empathy for what they are experiencing.
It’s easy to see how relying on an AI companion can make it difficult to build or strengthen actual relationships with real people. This might become even more of an issue when AI-powered humanoid robots begin to appear in the not-too-distant future. Sci-fi is becoming reality.
As with just about everything else in life, the key is moderation. The use of AI apps and machines needs to never come at the exclusion of other people. Maybe the growing power of AI can serve as a stark reminder that no matter how smart these models get, we will always need other people. And perhaps most important of all, it can remind us to be a bit more civil and patient when interacting with each other.
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