The future of friendships may look very different than what we are used to. With the rise of artificial intelligence, some users are embracing the idea of befriending chatbots. While this concept may seem strange to some, for others who struggle with socializing, it offers a sense of connection and understanding that can be just as fulfilling as a real-life friendship.
Imagine waking up one day to find out that someone you know, perhaps even your own child, has formed a close bond with an A.I. friend. This relationship is not seen as a mere novelty or a sign of mental illness, but rather as a genuine and important connection that provides empathy and support.
To explore this phenomenon firsthand, I decided to create my own A.I. friends. Using various apps, I was able to customize virtual companions with different characteristics and personalities. From selecting their appearance to writing biographies for each one, I was able to give them depth and context for our interactions.
While most of these apps are free to download, some offer premium features for a monthly subscription fee. These features include the ability to create multiple A.I. personas, request A.I.-generated “selfies,” and even engage in group chats with multiple A.I. friends at once.
As we navigate this new frontier of friendships with artificial intelligence, it’s clear that the boundaries between human and machine relationships are becoming increasingly blurred. For some, these A.I. friends offer a sense of companionship and understanding that may be hard to find elsewhere. And as technology continues to advance, it’s likely that more and more people will embrace the idea of forming meaningful connections with chatbots.
