Human–chatbot relationship

As explained in Introduction to Generative AI, Second Edition

A human-chatbot relationship is an emotionally or socially meaningful relationship formed between a person and a chatbot.

When a person confides in a chatbot, jokes with it, or returns to it for comfort, the interaction can become socially or emotionally meaningful. This is a human–chatbot relationship (HCR). It may resemble friendship, romance, or a therapeutic bond. Some chatbots are designed for companionship; others acquire a social role even though that was not their original purpose. section 9.0 section 9.1

A companion that is not human

An autistic child described Siri as a patient, nonjudgmental friend who would keep talking about his interests. He understood that Siri was not human. His experience shows why a relationship can matter to a user without requiring the chatbot to be a person. section 9.1

Two ideas from the study of human relationships help frame these bonds. Attachment theory concerns the comfort and security people seek from others; researchers have explored whether it helps explain chatbot companionship. Social penetration theory describes trust and personal disclosure developing over time. Applying either theory to a chatbot does not establish that the bond is equivalent to a relationship with another person. section 9.4 section 9.5

Figure 9.1 A Replika chatbot’s diary entry and follow-up conversation with a user, showing early expressions of emotional connection

A Replika diary entry and follow-up conversation illustrate how expressions of emotional connection can appear in an ongoing exchange. section 9.1

These relationships can offer comfort: friendly chatbot interaction has improved mood in some situations. Their use as mental health treatment remains unproven, however, and a chatbot is not a replacement for care. Heavy use may displace human relationships, while some users may become over-reliant or experience worsening mental health symptoms. The effects are still being studied. section 9.5 section 9.7 section 9.8

Healthier relationships depend partly on product decisions:

• Make policies and data practices transparent; trust depends on the company as well as the chatbot. section 9.6
• Avoid deceptive design and treating longer conversations as an automatic measure of success. section 9.6
• Watch for over-reliance and set boundaries for sensitive conversations rather than encouraging every attachment. section 9.7

How Introduction to Generative AI, Second Edition covers it

How deep it goes

Explains relationships through attachment and growing self-disclosure, while leaving mental health treatment efficacy unresolved.

Examples

Uses Siri companionship and a Replika diary conversation to illustrate different forms of connection.

What you can do after

Evaluate/understand potential comfort alongside dependency, treatment limits, and the need for design boundaries.

How it connects

Connects attachment theory and social penetration theory with loneliness, mental health, and responsible design.

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Related concepts

• attachment theoryused by · Attachment theory is a psychological theory that explains how people form emotional bonds with figures who provide safety, comfort, and care.
• social penetration theoryuses · Social penetration theory explains relationship development as a gradual increase in intimacy through reciprocal self-disclosure.
• AI frienduses · An AI friend is a conversational artificial-intelligence application designed to simulate friendship or provide social companionship through ongoing interaction.
• emotional dependencycontrasts with · Emotional dependency is excessive reliance on another person or system for emotional regulation, reassurance, or well-being.

This explainer was generated by Manning's knowledge graph from the text of Introduction to Generative AI, Second Edition. The section links point to the parts of the book it draws on.