Commentary and AI Conversation as Social Engagement

Within my own engagement on social media, and conversations with artificial intelligence, I have many different social conversations depending on the platform I am using. I do think especially with the use of social media to have conversations limits overall social engagement. Although some forms of social conversations like replying to a friend's Instagram story can be very convenient, there have been moments where I have seen people using AI as their actual friend and it is worrisome and challenges real social engagement within the world.

I do think it is nice for lonely people to use AI as a short-term solution to a friend, but ultimately that is not substantial in the real world where you need to be able to speak and hold a conversation with a real person. Something that may be frustrating in socially engaging in digital spaces is not getting the response you wanted, and because you are digitally engaged, there may be an element of not being able to properly articulate your feelings. I think AI conversations do complicate digital social engagement as there are some people who take speaking to AI more seriously than it should be. I have included a video below of an older person having AI conversations and stating that she "may never have to talk to another human again."

My Best Friend is an AI: Embracing Friendships in Tech | TikTok