AI "Girlfriend" App Sweeping the Globe, Triggering Deep-seated Social Issues

2024-09-11

In recent years, "AI girlfriend" applications have become extremely popular worldwide, far exceeding expectations. According to data from Tools for Humans, a company that tracks AI tool usage, there are over 144,000 monthly searches for related content. Users range from teenagers to adult males, making the user base diverse. These AI "girlfriends" are seen as emotional comfort and even substitutes for some interpersonal relationships. There is a wide variety of AI "girlfriend" chatbots and applications flooding the market, allowing users to highly customize their character's appearance and personality traits. However, the misuse of this technology has raised concerns. Social media platforms are filled with advertisements for AI "girlfriends" related to explicit content, and sexual role-playing has become one of the hottest topics in human-machine conversations. Alex Chambers, CEO of Tools for Humans, believes that AI "girlfriend" applications can cause serious harm. They not only lead to social isolation but also can trigger technology addiction. Some applications operate on a paid model, further exacerbating the severity of the issue. Chambers compares this risk to addiction to pornography and gambling, as it can lead to a loss of time perception and create financial burdens for users. Research shows that modern men commonly face mental health and loneliness issues. The rise of AI "girlfriend" applications undoubtedly exacerbates this social crisis. A study by Equimundo indicates that over 65% of males aged 18 to 23 feel "no one truly understands me." The rapid development of AI "girlfriend" applications brings both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, it provides emotional comfort for people; on the other hand, its potential negative impacts cannot be ignored. Balancing technological advancements with social ethics is an important issue we face.