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In the height of the pandemic, COVID-19, everyone was encouraged to stay indoors for their own safety. This was a very difficult time for everyone, impacting people’s mental health in a detrimental way. It created a spike in loneliness, especially for those living alone. This continues to be an issue for many who are reluctant to leave their home unnecessarily, due to COVID-19. Could these feelings of loneliness be solved with the development of technology, specifically AI (artificial intelligence)? Many people use AI every day, whether it is SIRI, Alexa, or Google Home. The question we raise is: Will AI develop to a point where people can have emotional relationships with them? In this group project we discuss if the development of AI, and therefore AI based relationships would be ethical and if it is feasible based upon society’s attitudes and ideas about artificial intelligence. We also consider whether the development of technology will allow for AI based relationships in the future.
Regarding the examples provided on ethical implications do you believe these are more or less relevant when speaking of AI if you consider that almost all these situations have Human equivalents.
Selling relationships – chat lines, numerous websites etc
User security – can this be considered more of a concern than the video and audio recorder we carry with us constantly, often sleep beside and provide our biometric data to.
Consent – if the Ai is not sentient then can it be considered more than a tool or object humanity has developed many various devices for sexual purposes. If the Ai is Sentient could it be forced? And if so would this not be considered the same as “forcing” any other being.
If an Artificial Intelligence can be considered truly sentient, a functionally fully aware being, is there a reason to delineate between intelligences based on its housing, do the fears associated fall away once the Ai is sufficiently advanced?.
I feel like AI-based relationships have always been more interesting as a concept than they were desirable, but I also feel that we become more stuck in our ways and less open to new concepts as we get older, and it is younger generations which grow up with the new technology which come to accept it. Do you think that in a few (or even several) generations once (or if) this technology becomes viable people will become more open to the idea of AI-based relationships, or do you think it will be something that is always met with a lot of scepticism, or is even considered a fad?
I think when it’s available, safe and tested people will consider it definitely but I’m not sure if many people will actually follow through- after all some people are wary of allowing Siri etc activated on their phones today etc as it’s believed they collect data. Yes, I think people will always be sceptical of being in any relationship with an AI, people are always going to be cautious of something is new they aren’t familiar with. As for the generations, if AI does advance to a point where a relationship could form i believe it will be the kids who grew up knowing such technology (ipad kids) who would be more inclined to have a relationship with an AI.
What do you think are some of the draws to a relationship with Ai and if the monetisation of those AI may makes those draws less prevelant?
Do you think when it’s possible to be in an relationship with an AI, that this could lead to more emotional abuse in “real” relationships. Since the computer is not really “real”, maybe people unlearn to be emotional responsible / have empathy for real life partner
What do you think the potential effects AI relationships will have on our ability to form interpersonal relationships and skills?