Researchers have raised concerns regarding the impact of societal bots on neurodiverse individuals and those facing challenges with social interactions. Despite the initial advocacy for safe and non-judgmental connection practices, studies indicate that these AI tools could potentially exacerbate social isolation and dependence.
The study highlights that the lack of authentic conversations and cognitive abilities in chatbots might reinforce detrimental social behaviors. To gain a deeper understanding of these implications and establish reliable guidelines for bot utilization, further comprehensive research is deemed necessary.
Important Information:
- Social chatbots can attract individuals with autism, anxiety, and limited cultural proficiency by offering a low-risk environment for communication.
- There is a cautionary note in the research that excessive reliance on bots may hinder the development of real-world social skills and amplify social seclusion.
- To steer the appropriate use of bots, experts recommend extensive data collection, including input from educators and therapists.
The University of South Australia is at the forefront of this issue.
Further investigation is warranted to explore the impact of cultural chatbots on neurodiverse individuals and those grappling with social interaction challenges, as highlighted by American researchers expressing potential reservations about their utilization.
While some individuals struggling with face-to-face interactions find AI bots appealing, the technology may inadvertently cultivate negative habits contributing to increased social isolation.
In a recent publication in the Journal of Behavioural Addictions, researchers from the University of South Australia and Flinders University articulated these concerns.
The researchers suggest that chatbots, now integrated into platforms like Whatsapp, could perpetuate communication difficulties for individuals with autism, stress, and limited cultural communication skills.
Andrew Franze, a leading researcher in the UniSA Psychology Honours program, emphasizes the need for further exploration into the rapid evolution of social bots, acknowledging both their advantages and drawbacks.
Franze notes that individuals with social challenges, particularly the younger demographic, may gravitate towards online cultural bots for empathy and support.
While these platforms offer a secure space to practice social interactions without fear of negative judgment based on appearance or communication style, there is a risk of overreliance on AI, potentially leading to further withdrawal from real-world interactions.
Franze underscores that chatbots’ inability to engage in genuine conversations or demonstrate empathy and nuanced emotional intelligence could reinforce maladaptive behaviors in neurodiverse individuals.
The absence of the reciprocal nature inherent in human conversations due to the servile quality of some chatbots gives users complete control over the interaction, including the ability to pause, delay, or terminate it, hindering the cultivation of essential social skills in real-life scenarios.
Moreover, while social AI may alleviate social anxiety, excessive reliance on them could foster interdependence detrimental to interpersonal relationships.
Although industry-affiliated research touts the benefits of corporate chatbot applications, the researchers stress the importance of gathering feedback from parents, caregivers, educators, and therapists to gain a comprehensive understanding of their impact.
Franze asserts, “We must gather evidence on the multifaceted ways in which these technologies can influence vulnerable users who may be particularly drawn to them. Only then can we establish industry standards and guidelines governing the ethical and safe use of chatbots.”
