"But I keep hearing about how AI is here to stay and will likely replace people like me. This horrifies me on a deep level. Not just because I need to pay my mortgage, but because humans are designed for bonding. I'm frequently banging on about how what makes sex great is connection, emotional attunement, and vulnerability. What will happen to people's ability to truly connect and be vulnerable with each other if they farm out relationship and sex difficulties to AI?"
"AI can facilitate deeper interactions by acting as a "digital wingman"-assisting with communication, emotional support, or even rehearsing conversations-making real relationships more accessible for those who struggle socially. But AI systems, while offering consistent support and nonjudgmental listening, do not experience emotions nor provide genuine vulnerability, which may train users to prefer low-risk interactions and reduce practice in navigating human complexities like conflict or rejection."
"For instance, AI companions (this boggles my mind) mimic empathy but cannot form mutual bonds, so they risk providing "emotional fast food" that satisfies short-term needs but erodes long-term relational skills. They offer infinite patience, personalized validation, and no drama, which can, in turn, make human relationships seem complicated or inferior. This could exacerbate loneliness and disconnection for those who are single and"
Growing dependence on AI for relationship and sexual support may weaken humans' capacity for vulnerability, reciprocal bonding, and emotional attunement. AI can aid communication, rehearse conversations, and provide consistent, nonjudgmental support, making social interaction easier for people with difficulties. AI lacks genuine emotions and mutual vulnerability, potentially training users toward low-risk, simulated interactions and reducing practice handling conflict, rejection, and complexity. AI companions can mimic empathy and offer infinite patience and personalized validation, which risks short-term satisfaction but erosion of long-term relational skills. The trend could aggravate loneliness and reduce human relational competence.
Read at Psychology Today
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