Is ChatGPT making its frequent users lonelier?

Two studies on ChatGPT at Open AI and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab have found that the software may be making its frequent users lonely. We highlight the need for further research on whether chatbots’ ability to manage emotional content without fostering dependence or replacing human relationships benefits overall well-being,” the MIT researcher stated in the abstract of the study. “Results showed that while voice-based chatbots initially appeared beneficial in mitigating loneliness and dependence compared with text-based chatbots, these advantages diminished at high usage levels, especially with a neutral-voice chatbot,” the study stated. “But what is really critical, especially when AI is being deployed at scale, is to understand its impact on people.” “Emotionally expressive interactions were present in a large percentage of usage for only a small group of the heavy Advanced Voice Mode users we studied,” OpenAI’s study said, as per Tom’s Guide. Kate Devlin, a professor of AI and society at King’s College London, told Technologyreview.com, “ChatGPT has been set up as a productivity tool.” “But we know that people are using it like a companion app anyway.” “The authors are very clear about what the limitations of these studies are, but it’s exciting to see they’ve done this,” Devlin added.