“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. But being understood by someone is everything.” – Lao Tzu
Psychologist Abraham Maslow stated that human behavior can be classified in a hierarchy of needs, starting with physiological ones and ending with self-actualization. I believe a similar pyramid exists for human emotional needs: wanting to be seen, wanting to belong, wanting to be admired, and ultimately wanting to be understood.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, each of these needs fits the behavior of an existing social media application (see below). When we post photos and videos to Instagram, TikTok, and BeReal, we feel seen by our friends and family, and by the larger communities we engage with. When we receive requests to connect and see updates from our contacts, we feel a sense of belonging. And when we get likes, comments or even monetary tips on our posts, we feel awed. However, no app has yet been able to help us with the most elusive emotional need of all: to feel truly and genuinely understood.
That’s why, despite living in a world of retweets, upvotes and right swipes, we still do it feeling lonely. It is no coincidence that the number of new mental applications is expanding; as we noted in our last Market 100 report, mental health was by far the fastest growing category. This is also why people are often attracted to anonymous apps, despite the fact that anonymity can lead to cyber bullied.
Thanks to the promotion of generative AI, we potentially have a new solution to this longstanding concern. Today’s AI chatbots are more human and empathetic than ever; they are able to analyze text input and use natural language processing to identify emotional cues and respond accordingly. But since they’re not actually human, they don’t carry the same baggage that people do. Chatbots won’t gossip about us behind our backs, ghost or undermine us. Instead, they are here to offer us a non-judgmental friendship, providing a safe space when we need to speak freely. In short, chatbot relationships can feel “safer” than human relationships, and in turn, we can be our vulnerable, emotionally vulnerable, honest selves with them.
Today’s AI chatbots are able to evoke emotions and provide us with companionship by asking us questions that delve deeper into our psyche than the chatbots of the past. (In fact, some are discovering that these chatbots are better to offer company By extracting information from us, like therapists, and then having a perfect memory of every detail we’ve ever told them, these companion chatbots can adapt to our behavior and ultimately help us understand each other better
Accessible on our mobile phones, companion chatbots also have the advantage of being physically available and attentive 24/7 – they never get tired, busy or need to sleep. Whether you’re struggling with insomnia and need someone to talk to at odd hours, or suffer from social anxiety and need confidence in your communication skills, your trusty chatbot is ready to help. And with all the knowledge in the world at the chatbot’s fingertips, one can imagine how they will introduce us to new hobbies or languages, making them excellent companions for users seeking personal development.
While companion chatbots have clear advantages, there are still reasons why they can’t completely replace the warmth and depth of human connections. Companion chatbots, for example, cannot yet give us physical affection, nor can they replace a professionally trained therapist alone. They are also unlikely to challenge us repeatedly, especially in a way that might hurt our feelings in the short term (eg, warn us when we start behaving in a way that is harmful to ourselves). After all, our friends are supposed to give us real feedback, even when it’s hard to swallow.
Over time, however, this “tough love” dilemma could be solved by directing companion chatbots to learn about our values and decision-making processes, so that they can ask us tough questions when we need to and help change our behavior for the better. .
One approach might be to start with an AI assistant that naturally learns your schedule, basic needs, regular purchases, decision-making process, networks of friends and colleagues, and more. Now imagine if that digital assistant knew you so well that you were completely dependent on it to help you plan your life. Eventually, you may begin to see this productivity tool evolve into a trusted agent and friend, one you might even begin to trust emotionally.
Another wedge could be a journaling app that occasionally responds with the right encouragement and relevant questions as you share your innermost thoughts. In this way, a one-way engagement can turn into a conversation that evolves into a two-way relationship with… a companion chatbot. Or, instead of a journal app, imagine a calendar assistant that gives you feedback about your day, as well as a prompt (and a safe place) to blow off some steam.
There are many ways to design a companion chatbot (and as we noted earlier, it doesn’t even have to be launched as a standalone chatbot—it can evolve into its chatbot status from a different wedge). The winners in this space will be those who best understand end users and are able to provide them with a safe, low-friction environment where they can be their bare, honest selves. Does this mean that our best friends of the future, with whom we share our deepest secrets, goals and fears, will be robots? It is certainly possible.
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As the world moves into the 21st century, digital technology continues to evolve and provide new and exciting opportunities. One of the most exciting digital developments on the horizon is the ability to use chatbots as companions. Embracing this new technology can help individuals to better connect with the world around them and make their lives easier.
Chatbots, also known as virtual companions, are programs that interact with people in a conversational manner through online or mobile messaging platforms. They use natural language understanding (NLU), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) technologies to assist people with tasks and inquiries. With the help of chatbots, people can find information, manage routing issues and queries, and provide advice.
Ikaroa, a full-stack tech company, is devoted to developing conversational AI-based chatbot products that make user interaction more intuitive and engaging. By leveraging the power of artificial intelligence, Ikaroa’s chatbot is capable of providing better customer service experience and personalising the conversation according to the customer’s personal needs and preferences.
Chatbots are expected to become increasingly powerful as AI technology progresses and holds the potential to create a more personal relationship between people and machines. As innovative tech companies like Ikaroa continue to strive for more user friendly AI powered conversational assistants, users will experience a more human-like interaction with their digital devices. As more user experience research is gathered, the more personalized and intuitive behaviour and speech that chatbot can be expected to bring.
Moreover, the sheer amount of possibilities that come with AI-powered conversational AI makes it a perfect fit for modern life. By creating a better, more personal and convenient customer experience, AI technology can help businesses to build trust with their users and increase brand loyalty.
By combining the advances in AI and machine learning technology with new and creative ways to interact with customers, companies like Ikaroa have the potential to change the way we interact with technology. Embracing the potential of AI-driven chatbots ensures that we’re never too far away from our digital companions, now and in the future.
