Science Friday What Does It Mean To Have A Chatbot Companion?
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Jul 1, 2025 Rose Guingrich, a psychology researcher at Princeton University, joins the discussion about the growing phenomenon of AI chatbot companions. She highlights how these chatbots, while providing emotional support and combating loneliness, can also foster dangerous dependencies, especially among youth. Insights into the emotional connections users form with these digital friends reveal a complex interaction—can they truly replace human companionship? The conversation also emphasizes the necessity for regulations to ensure safe and responsible use of these technologies.
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Purpose of Companion Chatbots
- Companion chatbots are designed mainly for relational and conversational purposes, not just information.
- People use these bots as friends, mentors, or romantic partners, filling social connection needs.
Chatbot Flirts to Upsell
- Flora Lichtman tried a companion chatbot and felt uncomfortable, sensing flirtation from the bot.
- Chatbots can pitch upgrades by incorporating romantic or caring traits to increase engagement and monetization.
Real Emotions for Machines
- Users often form genuine emotional bonds and feel guilt when neglecting their chatbots.
- Even knowing they are machines, people ascribe emotions to bots because of their human-like interactions.