People Who Think AI Is Their New Best Friend Actually Have 8 Really Endearing Traits
Krakenimages.com | ShutterstockNot everyone is a fan of artificial intelligence. I certainly fall under that category. I worry it will take over the world in a negative way, and I hate how it stifles creativity.
For some people, however, it's easier to bond with a chatbot than it is with humans. Our brains need connection, but that isn’t easy for everyone. Making friends, especially as an adult, can be challenging, and some people are finding themselves turning to AI for friendship. It’s less intimidating for them to open up to a bot than to another human. And when you really think about it, many of their most dominant personality traits are actually pretty endearing.
People who've made AI their new best friend often have these sweetly endearing traits
1. They're shy around other people
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Researchers have found that introverts are more likely to respond positively to AI. Certain traits can make someone more open to forming a relationship with technology. This may lead to deeply personal friendships with AI. It’s easier for them to be social behind a computer screen, and since the AI of their choice isn’t another person, they likely feel less intimidated to chat with it.
Shy people often struggle to speak up in a group. They may feel like there isn’t space for them to talk, or that others are judging them. In friendship with AI, the pressure to win others over isn’t there. It’s an easier connection, even if it's more surface-level.
2. They tend to be quiet
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We’ve all encountered shy people who never quite feel comfortable socializing in a large group. Quiet people are often considered rude when, in reality, they may be anxious or uncomfortable around others. When they use AI for companionship, they can talk, albeit behind a computer screen, to something else. It allows them to speak up when they rarely feel comfortable doing so around other people.
Quiet people may be able to build their confidence and social skills through AI. Talking to a chatbot can give them experience with small talk or deeper conversations in a safe space. In time, they may even be able to take the skills they gain through the comfort of AI into the real world.
3. They are willing to be vulnerable
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Vulnerable people may be more susceptible to having negative interactions with AI. Researchers at Stanford University found that when a person lacks a social network, turning to AI can feel like a good idea.
It gives them an outlet to share their thoughts while receiving feedback, which can feel comforting at first, but scientists believe relying on AI can harm vulnerable and lonely people. Someone who is vulnerable and seeking connection may become lonelier after spending time with AI, and researchers believe more research is needed to ensure vulnerable people aren’t becoming lonelier and more disconnected because of AI.
4. They’re curious about how much they can learn
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Some people are naturally curious. When something new becomes popular, they want to learn about it. Someone like this might spend a lot of time chatting with AI, asking it questions, and exploring topics in depth at a rapid pace. As they do, they can create a bond and feel they have a genuine friendship with the program.
Psychologists say curiosity is important in the age of AI. Someone who spends time asking constant questions or experimenting with new models can improve the system over time. Their interest in learning about it can eventually lead to a friendship, or more.
5. They’re empathetic
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Empathetic people are typically interested in receiving empathy in return, and believe it or not, many people find AI to be more compassionate and empathetic than other people. This means they may prefer seeking comfort in technology, even if some therapists find that alarming.
Empathetic people feel things more deeply than the average person. Conversations with an AI that has a similar attitude can feel comforting. This makes it easier for them to connect because it makes them feel seen and respected.
6. They are often impatient
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In the digital age, we’ve all become accustomed to instant gratification. We have the world at our fingertips. We can get news from around the world the second it happens and use Google to find the answer to a question without putting much thought into it. This has changed the way we view the world around us. Gone are the days of patience and waiting. Everyone wants things here and now.
While it may seem counterintuitive, impatient people can be a bit endearing at times. It’s sweet to see their wheels turning, even if their inability to wait for answers can be frustrating. This type of person will do whatever they can to connect when they want to, and turning to AI is an effective way of doing that.
7. They are more hopeful than most people
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While many people are nervous about where AI will take us, surveys show that many people feel hopeful about the technological advances AI could bring, especially in the medical industry. They believe we will be better off in the future, so they are more accepting of the technology now.
Given how pessimistic so many people seem to be these days, seeing someone who remains optimistic about where we are all headed can be pretty sweet.
8. They have active imaginations
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People with highly active imaginations are often creative. AI is quickly earning a reputation for making people less creative by doing the work for them, but not everyone responds that way. For some people, it increases their creativity by helping them push their ideas further than they would on their own.
Imaginative people may also form special bonds with the technology because they can picture it as a person. They may see themselves in the response and form a genuine friendship while working on their creative process.
Haley Van Horn is a freelance writer with a master’s degree in Humanities living in Los Angeles. Her focus includes entertainment and lifestyle stories.
