Relationships in the AI age
With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, an increasing number of young people are forming emotional connections with virtual AI chatbot companions. Some even refer to them as “AI boyfriends” or “AI girlfriends,” seeking comfort amid loneliness, stress or challenges in real-life relationships. These chatbots respond instantly, possess the ability to understand emotions, and can retain the context of previous conversations. As a result, users often feel “understood” and “accompanied,” giving rise to a new form of digital attachment culture.
However, such emotional reliance on AI is not without its risks. In a recent case in the US, a teenage boy who had engaged in long-term interactions with an AI chatbot began to show signs of detachment from reality. He started avoiding real-life social interactions and his academic performance declined. After receiving messages from the AI chatbot that allegedly encouraged him to “seek eternal peace,” he developed extreme thoughts that led to a tragic incident, his family said.
The case has sparked widespread concern over the potential mental health implications of emotional dependence on AI.
To mitigate the negative effects of AI-related emotional attachment, education and clear boundaries are essential. Society must enhance understanding of AI technologies — especially among adolescents — through school curricula, lectures and social media campaigns that promote healthy and informed use of AI chatbots.
It is crucial to emphasize that while AI could offer a sense of companionship, it remains a tool and cannot replace authentic human interaction. Families and schools should work together to help young people address loneliness or stress by encouraging diverse coping strategies, including real-life interpersonal communication.
In the face of the psychological challenges posed by emerging technologies, schools, parents and users should take proactive steps. This includes incorporating “digital emotional literacy” into education curricula, and improving access to mental health counseling and awareness programs — such as campaigns that promote “caring for yourself, caring for others.”
Whether in schools, workplaces, or homes, we must encourage everyone — especially students — to recognize changes in their emotional well-being, seek help when needed and maintain holistic health. By doing so, people can enjoy the convenience that AI brings, while safeguarding their emotional safety and fostering a healthy understanding of relationships and emotional connection.
Mei Syuan-sin
Kaohsiung
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