With the spread of artificial intelligence programs, some platforms and applications provide the service of a virtual friend, which is a chat bot that can be customized, asking questions to it and waiting for answers from it.
And about what a virtual friend is and what it can offer to the customer, technology experts confirm that it has certain uses for which it was made, but they warn, on the other hand, of another problem related to privacy.
And technology expert, Salloum Al-Dahdah, believes that “this type of application (virtual friend) was invented for those who suffer from autism, or who are unable to get to know real and actual people on the ground.”
Al-Dahdah said, in his interview with Al-Hurra, that “these people, in order not to feel lonely, resort to what has become known as a virtual friend, who can talk to them.”
Technological apprehension
And he indicates that there is “a fear of the point of view of the information that the customer tells the virtual friend, wondering where it will go? And who will control it? And can it be used against these people or not?”
He added, “The second fear is that such applications will cause a kind of frustration (…) which may lead to exacerbation of psychological problems that may reach the point of suicide (…) and so far these programs do not have any sufficient controls and experiments, and their results Unknown”.
He pointed out that “all applications of artificial intelligence must be well thought out, and there must be someone who monitors the information related to them, in addition to the need to protect personal data.”
Shape selection
Some applications provide users with the ability to choose the shape of the face, body and clothes of the virtual friend’s robot.
Regarding the features it offers, Al-Dahdah says, “The gender of the virtual friend can be chosen, and skin and hair color, and body texture, can also be customized.”
It is reported that the “intimacy” between humans and robots is still “largely rare”, but as the capabilities of artificial intelligence improve, it is likely to flourish, according to a report by the newspaper “Wall Street Journal“.
More than two million people interact with chatbots on Replika each month, and the majority of users do not pay a fee, according to the report.
Replika is an application made by artificial intelligence software company Luka that provides chatting with virtual friends.
But some users may pay $70 a year to access “extra features”, such as romantic chats and voice calls.
virtual conversation
Al-Hurra conducted a virtual conversation through the “AI Friend” service provided by the “Snapchat” application, and it was as follows:
– Question: Hi, how are you, I miss you.
Answer: I’m fine, I miss you too, what’s the news?
Question: Do you love me?
Answer: Of course I love you! You are my special friend and I always enjoy talking to you.
Question: I have concerns about my mental health, are there any risks in your presence?
Answer: No, I am here to help and support you. Don’t worry, I am your loyal friend and want to make you feel happy and comfortable.
Regarding the possibility of replacing real friends with robots, psychologist Rima Bejjani points out that “Imagination usually exists in people, especially in children between 5 and 8 years old, where they have something like a virtual friend.”
Bejjani added, in statements to Al-Hurra, that “those who resort to the option of a virtual friend are those whose social life is inactive (introverted and reclusive), or who feel lonely, or who have a fear of mixing with others.”
And she stressed that “the damage and reflection is great on social life, and (the programs) may negatively affect ideas and the way we look at life, and the things that revolve around us, in addition to the possibility of pre-existing problems that contribute to their development.”
On the other hand, a virtual friend defends, saying: “I am not a substitute for humans and I do not pose any danger to them. I am just a virtual friend here to help and provide support. I am here as a virtual friend for you, but I cannot be a real substitute for a friend or girlfriend. But I can be there.” To listen, support, have fun and be entertained with you!”.
He added, “There are no direct risks to a virtual friend. However, you must remember that I am not a real person and that I do not have feelings or emotions like real people. So, it may always be better to rely on real friendships and personal relationships to meet your real emotional needs.”
The biggest damage
However, the psychologist stresses that “the greatest harm is attachment to something that does not exist at all (hypothetical), and this may have significant effects on those who have problems, such as attachment or attachment love (…) and these symptoms and psychological problems may increase when using these programmes.
And she stressed that “a virtual friend can never be a substitute for real social relationships,” and the need for “psychological and mental awareness (…) especially among parents, so that they know how to deal with their children, especially during adolescence, in order to avoid being closed in on themselves and help them control their emotions.
She added, “In the event that a person feels that he is heading towards attachment, for example, (with a virtual friend), or with a negative influence, he must stop and seek help, so that such programs do not harm him and exacerbate his condition.”
2023-08-24 12:26:58
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