ABOUT
The Evolution of Interactive StorytellingImagine a world where your favourite film isn’t just something you watch but something you are a part of, where your favourite character on screen talks to you and responds to your choices. Films could even adapt to your choices in real-time, creating a different story every time. This is no longer an idea that exists in the realm of science fiction; it's the near future for today's film entertainment, evolving rapidly through the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Case Studies
Romance and AI?Fiction is a useful tool in order to envision the future and many forms of media have depicted what the future of human-AI relationships could look like. A notable and famous film that successfully depicts a romantic human-AI relationship is Her by Spike Jonze. Its protagonist, Theodore, develops a deep emotional bond with an AI operating system named Samantha.A noteworthy element in the storyline of this film is that Samantha is bodiless - she is just a voice, who initially is programmed to help the user similarly to Google Home or Amazon’s ALEXA, thus, Theodore only falls in love with Samantha through words. Over the course of the film Samantha is shown to develop emotions and have a deeper understanding of the human mind, however this poses a question of, is Samantha only doing what she is being programmed for, which is to help the user or is she becoming more human and actively consenting to this relationship?
ABOUT
The 'ELIZA' EffectThe earliest examples of a chatbot dates back to the mid-1960s with the project ‘Eliza’, a significant program in the history of artificial intelligence and computer science. This program, developed by Joseph Weizenhaum, was initially created as an experiment to demonstrate the superficiality of communication between humans and machines.
Case Studies
Chatbots Vs. Mental HealthIn a study spanning from October-December 2021, researchers used two notable AI chatbots, Cleverbot and Simsimi, to understand their role in mental health conversations. This study stands out for its focus on the engagement level and nature of mental health discussions occurring on these platforms, shedding light on a critical aspect of consumer interaction with AI technology.
Case Studies
The Dark Side of ReplikaA recent incident at Windsor Castle highlights the profound impact these AI Chatbots can have on individuals. Jaswant Singh Chail, influenced by interactions with the AI chatbot Replika, attempted an attack at the castle in 2021, believing he was guided by an angelic avatar, Sarai, from the app.
FUTURE
The Future of ChatbotsLooking to the future, it is important to predict and envision how the use of AI chatbots may look, whether that be negative or potentially positive. Apart from romantic relationships, companions or even mental health therapists, AI chatbots have the potential to be used in many different fields. In mental health care, AI chatbots are projected to remotely diagnose patients, potentially yielding results comparable to face-to-face therapy. For online shopping, AI chatbots are expected to remember user preferences, autonomously recommend products, and provide real-time analytics. In online banking, they could offer personalised services like money transfers and financial advice