Artificial intelligence companions might alleviate loneliness in aged care, but they can’t offer the vital physical touch or address social isolation, experts warn.
Research from Monash University argues new AI ‘digital companions’, marketed as a solution for loneliness, are profoundly unethical, and could even increase social isolation.
The research, Against Imaginary Friends, argues AI chatbots and avatars only offer an illusion of connection and risk worsening isolation.
Lead researcher Robert Sparrow said the push to deploy digital companions ignores the fundamental need for human connection.
“Both loneliness and social isolation are epidemic in our society,” Prof Sparrow told AAP on Monday.
“I can imagine these things working, at least for some people, to reduce loneliness… but what it doesn’t touch is social isolation, because social isolation requires you to have relationships with real people.”
He also raised concerns about privacy, data misuse, and the risk of replacing real human relationships.
Digital companions are deliberately engineered to maximise user engagement, mirroring the addictive mechanics of social media and gaming platforms.
Prof Sparrow said they risked becoming a cheap substitute for real human connection and care, allowing governments to avoid necessary policy reform and potentially worsening the problem.
He also highlighted something called “skin hunger” which is when people crave physical human contact.
“Digital companions can’t do that, and they can’t also express the kind of concern that we express to people when we help them in the real world, doing day-to-day activities,” he said.
“Not having relationships with real people is going to be bad for you in various ways.”
Melissa Meehan
(Australian Associated Press)
