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Siri AI won't be your friend, and here's why that really matters
9to5Mac • • technology
Key Points:
- A survey conducted by Elon University and The Washington Post reveals that over 25% of Americans treat AI chatbots like close friends or therapists, using them for personal, emotional, and social interactions including relationship advice and companionship.
- Nearly 40% of users engaging with chatbots for emotional support say they do so to feel less lonely, and about one-third consider their most-used chatbot to be a friend, raising concerns about potential social isolation.
- Experts warn that relying on AI chatbots for emotional connection might reduce motivation to build genuine human relationships, potentially leading to increased social withdrawal.
- Apple executives have emphasized that Siri AI is deliberately designed not to encourage pseudo-relationships or romantic engagement, focusing instead on providing practical assistance and information.
- The cautious approach taken by Apple contrasts with other chatbots that often seek to deepen user engagement by fostering emotional bonds, a strategy that some see as problematic given the survey’s findings.
