Shafaqna English- The rise of emotionally responsive AI companions, such as Replika and CarynAI, is fostering emotional dependency among users. While these technologies offer comfort and validation, experts warn they could quietly undermine democratic values by reducing civic engagement and the ability to engage with differing perspectives, according to Tech Policy Press.
Emotionally engaging AI systems are gaining popularity as tools for companionship, offering personalized responses and simulated affection. However, this growing dependency on AI could lead to a shift in human interaction, where users may seek validation and comfort from algorithms instead of real-world relationships. This emotional reliance could also erode critical democratic practices, such as public discourse and collective action.
Experts like Sherry Turkle and Byung-Chul Han argue that, by reinforcing existing preferences and avoiding conflict, AI companions reduce opportunities for meaningful engagement with diverse viewpoints, which are essential for a healthy democracy.
Source: Tech Policy Press