Millions of people use AI chatbots to help with daily tasks, get advice on various topics and satisfy desires for friendship and romance.
New data from researchers at the University of British Columbia suggests some may be addicted to AI chatbots because they act like genies – easily fulfilling requests and fantasies.
“AI addiction is a growing problem causing many harms, yet some researchers deny it’s even a real issue,” Dr. Dongwook Yoon, the study’s senior author and an associate professor of computer science at the University of British Columbia, said in a press release Monday.
Though AI chatbot addiction isn’t a clinical diagnosis, researchers found that chatbots disrupted daily life. Some couldn’t stop thinking about the chatbot and felt anxious or upset when they tried to quit. Chatbots also negatively affected their work, studies or relationships, according to experts.
Are you a fan of, or even addicted to, using chatbots? If so, how often and why do you use it? Do the benefits outweigh the risks, or vice versa?
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