Cloud Civilisations

Mastering the Digital: The AI Chatbot Who Cares (ft. Jiqing)

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Can humans form emotional connections with chatbots?

Well, in the case of Replika, “the AI companion who cares”, they have certainly been shown to do so.

This is the ‘Mastering the Digital’ series, where digital anthropologists and I deep dive into their diverse research topics.

In Episode 4, I speak with Jiqing about her project on this generative AI chatbot application originally released in November 2017, where she explores how people interact with Replika and the potential to form social connections with artificial intelligence.

Some key takeaways:

  • Replika is unique in generating human-like responses by not only drawing on its Large Language Model but also by using a neural network to tailor its responses to the user’s emotional state.
  • The case of Replika challenges assumptions, showing how ‘cold’ technology can indeed be empathetic, with some people even relying on it as an extra source of mental health support.
  • It sparked controversy when cases of users developing intimate connections with the AI chatbot received sensationalised media attention, leading to ethical debates about human-tech relationships.
  • With the unstable nature of generative AI, what lies ahead for the role of AI in people’s social lives, mental health and/or therapeutic needs?

    • Connect with Jiqing via: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiqing-ma-1650361b9/

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    Cloud CivilisationsBy Yung Lo