Impact of relationships with AI chatbot programmes ‘worrying’, psychologist says
Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A psychologist has called the rise of artificial intelligence chatbot programmes “worrying”, as a man has been sentenced for plotting to kill the late Queen following encouragement from his virtual girlfriend. During the trial, Chail’s barrister, Nadia Chbat, told the court he had “imaginary friends” since childhood and one of them manifested themselves as the Sarai chatbot character via the Replika app. “Thinking about different types of people who engage with more online content already – maybe because they have social anxiety, because they’ve experienced trauma, or maybe their mental health is quite debilitating, and they’re not able to go out and seek human contact.” Chatbot programmes might have become more popular due to the impacts of the pandemic, Dowthwaite-Walsh suggested. Chatbot programmes might make people feel less alone, as the AI means virtual companions begin to “mirror what you’re experiencing”.
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