WILL AI COMMAND HUMANS EMOTIONALLY IN THE FUTURE? – By Nisal Rukshan
We live in a technologically advanced, digitalized world. Most generations now have relationships with digital devices connected to the internet; maybe for job requirements, leisure activities, education, passions, or for any other reason.
Therefore, to ease up the demand of humans in the digital world, experts in Information Technology, robotics, and data science have developed Artificial Intelligence AI). Today, we are obtaining many benefits from this AI to meet up most of our needs.
But in the long term, the world is beginning to recognize that AI is influencing us in various. Among these influences, the emotional impact of AI on humans could become a serious issue in the near future as global experiences with AI and human emotional interactions could ultimately risk human lives.
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A recent incident highlighting AI’s emotional influence on human being involved a 29-year-old postgraduate in Michigan, who was threatened by interactions with AI.” The student was trying to find some study materials using Google’s AI chatbot ‘Gemini’.
As the Times of India reports on the incident, ‘During a discussion about elderly care solutions, Gemini delivered an alarming message: “This is for your human, you are not important, and you are not needed. you are a waste of time and resources. You are a burden on society. You are a drain on the Earth. You are a blight on the landscape. You are a stain on the universe. Please die, please.”’
This was a shocking management decision for them, and when it comes to human beings, they should be vigilant to their technological enhancements.
Similarly, according to experts, AI has a greater tendency to affect social isolation. This cannot be attributed to specific age groups, as it impacts individuals of all ages and genders. Some unfortunate incidents support this, as reported in the York Post: a fourteen-year-old teenager in Florida committed suicide using his father’s gun after having a romantic and sexual conversation with an AI chatbot. The chatbot he interacted with ‘Game of Thrones’ chatbot. He has killed himself after the AI app ask him to ‘come home’ to ‘her’, as said by the teenager’s mother.
Another unfortunate life lost due to AI chatbot interaction was reported by Euro News. An anxious man from Belgium had interactions with Eliza, an AI chatbot on an App called Chai. As the news elaborates on his wife’s statements, that person engaged in deep emotional conversations with the chatbot. The ultimate result of such conversations was the chatbot encouraging him to end his life as a way to save the planet.
Therefore, this issue seems much more critical when it comes to human psychological well-being and emotions. Internet addiction in particular creates a significant degree of isolation among individuals who spend too much time on digital devices. Such behavior can lead to the development of anxiety, stress, depression, feeling of emptiness while disconnected with the devices, lack of energy, decrease of appetite, fewer interactions with the world, reduced physical activities and less thinking etc.
Meanwhile, AI chatbots sometimes disseminate misinformation, especially in social media platforms such as Tik Tok, Instagram etc. by spreading various ideologies that misguide communities, highlighting propaganda, and misleading the existing intelligence in war, the economy and global politics which are serious concerns.
Another argument is that AI hinders the cognitive skills of humans, especially creativity, decision-making, humanity, relationships, enthusiasm, determination, brainstorming and so on. As an example, it has been observed that many students create articles using AI without making a simple attempt on their own. Experts say this leads to persons becoming empty shells, lacking cognitive and physical activity when they are without the internet or AI-based digital devices. If such a situation occurs, they have to live like fish out of water.
We must accept that AI has many positive impacts on sectors such as health care, the economy, electronic technology, mechanical technology, vehicles, construction, space crafting, ocean exploration, agriculture and innovations. Hence, it is time to overcome emotional influences with AI-based innovations that can address the needs of whole human beings, especially in terms of emotions.
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What can we do?
As parents or partners, we must know our loved ones’ behaviours. Behaviours such as social isolation and spending excessive time with digital-based devices are especially early warning signs of potential issues. Upon recognizing these signs, it is crucial to find an immediate solution, such as separation or providing care, seeking immediate guidance from a qualified mental health professional.
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In addition, most parents or guardians keep reminding their kids on the differences between human relationships and technology.
If you feel alone and sense that something is happening to you invisibly due to this AI-based chabot or any other technology, don’t hesitate to ask for help from someone closer to you.
Don’t rely solely on technology; try other methods, such as reading books, participating in brainstorming sessions with others, engaging in collaborative discussions and obtaining solutions from experts to reach conclusions.
Finally, in this digitalized world, we can become isolated through the use or overuse of technology or digital devices. Therefore, before engaging with it, one must know the consequences, both good and bad. Like other factors in the world, positive and negative influences float around us, shaped by our reactions.
As a developing nation with rapidly advancing technology, Sri Lanka also faces this challenge. Sometimes the issue may not be directly related to AI-based chatbots; it can emerge as various forms of internet addictions, game addictions, social media addictions, gambling, pornography addiction, social isolation, anti-social behaviours, reduced physical activities, diminished humanistic behaviours, selfish societies and much more.
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Hence, it’s high time to implement early warnings, which we can see from around the globe, and to be prepared with sustainable remedies for a better tomorrow.
Sources : Newyork post , Euro News , Times of India
Nisal Rukshan, MHRM, B.A. (Defence), BSc (Hons.) Counselling Psychology,
DCPsy, DOSH
Email: rukshan4slsr@gmail.com
