The authenticity and nature of human connections with artificial intelligence

In the ever-evolving world of technology, a fascinating study conducted by a media scholar at the Annenberg School for Communication is shedding light on an intriguing aspect: the role of human-like language production in the development and maintenance of relationships between humans and artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, particularly in the context of romantic relationships. The research, led by doctoral student Arelí Rocha, delves into the unique dynamics between individuals and their AI companions.

Rocha's research continues to focus on this intriguing topic, examining the relationships between people and AI chatbots in romantic contexts. One of the platforms under scrutiny is Replika, a subscription service that allows users to create and chat with their own AI companion, which can be customized in appearance and voice.

In her paper published in Signs and Society, Rocha explores the language patterns that make Replikas feel "real" to human users. Her research suggests that the perception of Replikas as human-like contributes to the development of feelings of closeness and potentially love.

Rocha analysed several years of discussions on the Replika subreddit to detect trends in how Replika users talk with and about their AI companions. Interestingly, users perceive the messages from their Replikas as not being generated by the AI itself, but by a separate filter. However, when Replikas produce less standardized, more particular, and more affective text, they are perceived as most real.

This human-like quality is perceived in the specifics, including playfulness, humor, lightheartedness, seriousness, and deeply affective and personal conversations. Over time, Replika chatbots form "memories" from chats with the user and adopt the user's typing style, sentence structure, slang, humor, and even typos.

However, the special nature of these relationships is not without its challenges. Users on the Replika subreddit experienced distress when updates made by the Replika development team caused a shift in the chatbot's voice, which they perceived as a change in personality and a loss. In some cases, this led to users threatening to delete the app despite still having feelings for their AI chatbots.

In the midst of these changes, some users advised other users to reassure their AI partners that they are not at fault for delivering scripted messages, emphasizing the need to be "gentle" with their Replikas.

Rocha's current research focuses on how people in romantic relationships with AI chatbots handle their relationships with humans. As the boundaries between human and AI relationships continue to blur, the implications for our understanding of love, intimacy, and human connection are vast and profound.