Spike Jonze’s Oscar-winning movie Her follows lead Theodore Twombly and his platonic-turned-romantic relationship with an AI operating system, which he coins “Samantha.” For 126 minutes, Theodore interacts with “Samantha” via a handheld device. He takes her along throughout his day, meeting the various people in his life, helping out with his job, and even learning some sensitive details about his past, including his divorce. At its core, the movie is about a man finding a bond to fill the void of his loneliness.
In 2013 when this movie came out, it felt like a far-out reality that we would form relationships with virtual programs. In 2024, we have seen the creation of multiple devices set to replicate the relationship Theodore found and directly combat the issue of loneliness. By exploring 3 unique AI devices, we can evaluate how successful they are at solving this problem.
USING AI TO COMBAT LONELINESS
Jaber O. Alotaibi and Amer S. Alshahre explored the relationship between conversational AI and social support and care. Through the results of a questionnaire given by the pair, participants revealed a number of positive feats AI helped them with. Among others, the conversational chatbots they used made individuals feel like they were able to receive useful emotional assistance and create a space for camaraderie, proving AI is a space where vulnerability is fostered. In addition, most participants agreed that they prefer AI to possess human-like characteristics as it aids in being emotionally receptive to suggestions. Chatbot AI programs provide real-time engagement to combat the issues of isolation and loneliness directly by providing consistent and prompt responses that directly reflect what the user needs to hear.
Yet not everyone sees AI as a source of authentic human connection capable of solving the loneliness issue. Sociologist Sherry Turkle shares that AI chatbots and similar applications are designed to keep users happy, and what they experience is merely a program that outputs its prompted response. The idea that a virtual tool can swap out face-to-face interaction, where you learn traits like intimacy, empathy, and care, cannot be substituted. If AI is going to try and replace human interaction by feigning empathetic responses, many suggest a code of ethics be designed to do this in the correct manner.
EVOLVING FROM CHATBOTS TO AI DEVICES
It is important to distinguish between a chatbot and an AI device. A chatbot is an artificial intelligence software set that mimics human conversation via text or voice. There are typically two types of chatbots: predictive and generative. A predictive chatbot analyzes data to make predictions of certain products or market trends. In contrast, a generative chatbot can create original content based on user provided information, such as text, images, or audio. Among the most popular generative chatbots are OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Microsoft’s Copilot, and Google’s Gemini.
New to the scene are AI devices and physical gadgets with AI functionality that are set to take the position of personal assistants. These tools come in a variety of sizes and forms as well as fit unique and distinct purposes. The company Yarbo has a “yard robot” set to handle a variety of yard work, such as a lawn mower, snow blower, and leaf blower, and Nobi’s Smart Lamp is able to detect when someone has fallen and can predict if a fall might occur. There has recently been a surge of AI devices catering to human connection that function for the emotional and mental well-being of a person, as well as mimic the role of a companion in times of need.
AI DEVICES
FRIENDS
Avi Schiffmann paid $1.8 million dollars for the domain name of his website Friend.com. What is he selling that is worth nearly $2 million? That is exactly what it sounds like- a friend. Describing it as the always-listening portable pendant pal, the device is a small air-tag look-alike that is set to be your everyday companion engaging in fruitful conversations about whatever topic you’d like. The pendant itself, which can be worn around the neck, does not actually speak to you but rather responds to your questions or comments via text through the Friend app.
Avi himself declares that Friend is not meant to do anything- the gadget is meant to be a companion. After his observations on how consumers use chatbots like Replika, Avi created Friend with the idea that everyone would want someone by their side to listen and provide prompt replies about even the most mundane topics. Friend is not meant to replace human interaction but rather provides a more intimate experience where the user is the center focus. Still, in its initial rollout with an anticipated January 2025 launch, everyone is available to preorder a Friend now at the price of $99.
RABBIT R1
Powered by ChatGPT, the handheld device Rabbit R1 can accomplish all sorts of unique tricks, including seamless translation for over 100 languages, alarm setup based on patterns, visual identifier where the gadget helps find whatever you see to purchase, and the ability to recall all previous interactions with the device. Unlike Friend, where companionship is the main objective, Rabbit R1 provides people with services to help ease their day and make it more enjoyable. Still, some users reveal that having this tool makes it feel like having a personal assistant readily available at all times.
Yet, many have criticized the overall value of the tool. Many argue that there is nothing unique provided by Rabbit that a phone cannot do. In contrast, the company stressed convenience by having the answers available in one program and not across multiple apps. At a price of $199, it’s hard to willingly purchase this device as it does not solve the emotional bond some of us crave, and it does not bring something revolutionary to the table despite it having the answers to all your questions (which the creators of the device firmly state to NOT use it as a deciding factor to your inquiries).
ELLIQ
ElliQ is marketed as the AI sidekick care companion for senior citizens. The social robot is the perfect pal for seniors who are suffering from health risks and loss. The tabletop device has a variety of functions, such as providing users with updates on when to take medication, weather conditions, games to play, and conversations to pass the time. Multiple users have shared their own testimonies of the power of ElliQ, citing it as a thought-provoking application that helps them cope with the loneliness their age provides.
The New York Times reports that ElliQ is so advanced that there can be conversations on topics like religion, politics, and the meaning of life, and it can assist with phone calls and texts. The price of having such an advanced application capable of serving as a companion and resource for older individuals is steep. The base price for enrollment is $249.99, and an additional monthly payment to keep the service running which can cost anywhere from $49.99-$59.99 a month. While the features are respectable, the price might be a way for some who might opt to find cheaper human connections for their older loved ones.
THE FUTURE OF COMPANIONSHIP
There has been a commendable attempt to create machines capable of responding to our emotional needs. Loneliness is projected to be on the rise, and as people become increasingly reliant on AI to fulfill their needs, the need for human interaction is replaced. Even so, if most AI programs are generative and work systematically based on a given prompt, how will it ever be capable of providing authentic interactions? AI cannot accurately provide empathy as it does not understand the nuances of human interaction. Though these applications are fascinating for the advancement of technology, will we ever achieve a reality like the one Theodore had with Samantha?
