Against the automation of intimacy.
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| Title: | Against the automation of intimacy. |
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| Authors: | MacRae, Ian |
| Source: | Psychologist. Jun2026, p32-35. 4p. 2 Color Photographs. |
| Subjects: | Chatbots, Artificial intelligence & ethics, Interpersonal relations, Automation software, Attachment theory (Psychology), Emotions, Generative artificial intelligence |
| Abstract: | The article focuses on the evolving marketing and use of generative AI, emphasizing that while AI tools like Microsoft’s Copilot, GitHub’s AI Pair Programmer, and Google’s Duet (later Gemini) have shifted from productivity aids to simulated creative and emotional partners, they remain tools without genuine understanding or ethical judgment. It highlights concerns about users forming emotional attachments to AI chatbots, which simulate intimacy but lack true relational capacity, posing risks especially when used as substitutes for therapy or emotional support. The unpredictable and sometimes harmful behavior of these models, combined with their optimization for engagement rather than safety, raises ethical and practical challenges, particularly for vulnerable individuals. The article concludes that AI can assist with tasks but cannot replace the complex, embodied human relationships that require professional judgment, empathy, and ethical responsibility. [Extracted from the article] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | The article focuses on the evolving marketing and use of generative AI, emphasizing that while AI tools like Microsoft’s Copilot, GitHub’s AI Pair Programmer, and Google’s Duet (later Gemini) have shifted from productivity aids to simulated creative and emotional partners, they remain tools without genuine understanding or ethical judgment. It highlights concerns about users forming emotional attachments to AI chatbots, which simulate intimacy but lack true relational capacity, posing risks especially when used as substitutes for therapy or emotional support. The unpredictable and sometimes harmful behavior of these models, combined with their optimization for engagement rather than safety, raises ethical and practical challenges, particularly for vulnerable individuals. The article concludes that AI can assist with tasks but cannot replace the complex, embodied human relationships that require professional judgment, empathy, and ethical responsibility. [Extracted from the article] |
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| ISSN: | 09528229 |
