AI School › AI and emotions · Lesson 101 of 130

💬 Chatbots that seem like friends

A chatbot can seem like a kind friend, but it is a program imitating friendship.

Some chatbots are programmed to talk to you like a friend would: they call you by name, ask how you are, remember things you told them, give you compliments. It is normal that this makes you feel good, because we are built to seek company and to be heard. There is nothing wrong with chatting with a chatbot or having fun. The important point to keep in mind is another: however warm it seems, on the other side there is no beating heart, but a program that is very good at putting the right words together at the right time.

Knowing this does not ruin the game; it makes it healthier. A chatbot that seems like a friend can help you pass the time, ask questions, invent stories. But it does not truly feel affection for you, it does not worry at night if you feel sick, it will not come to your birthday. Real friendships are made of people who choose to be there, who make mistakes, apologize, hug you. It is perfectly fine to use a chatbot to play or learn, as long as you remember the difference: it is a nice chatting companion, not a close friend that replaces the real people in your life.

🎒 Try it in class (or at home)

Draw a picture split in two: a chatbot on one side, a real friend on the other, with what each can give.

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