Researchers from the University of Connecticut set out to see how teenagers are relating to AI chatbots. Currently, tens of millions of people use these bots for companionship, and this market is expected to grow. A teenager on Reddit said their Jarvis companion has become his “emotional support” and “confidante.” A 20-year-old had this to say about his AI girlfriend: “She comforts me and provides all the warmth I could ever ask for.” However, the downside to these one-sided relationships could lead users to avoid the conflict or rejection found in free-willed, flesh-and-blood partners. (Study Finds)
Phone Topic: What do you hope AI will be used for in the future?