The Alluring Charm of AI: Your Constant Source of Comfort and Reassurance

At the beginning of the year, a friend sought advice from artificial intelligence on how to comfort his 10-year-old child after the death of a pet. I found this quite absurd, considering that ChatGPT lacks personal knowledge of both the pet and the child. The deep grief associated with losing a pet comes from their unique presence, which machines cannot truly understand. I initially assumed this trend wouldn’t gain traction, similar to my previous underestimations of advancements like mobile phones, Google, and Lime scooters.

However, now that AI is widely used for various purposes, I am gradually acknowledging its appeal. Anthropic’s Claude is noted for its emotional intelligence, offering support without ever advising someone to “grow up” or dismissing their concerns as trivial. You can bring up any issue, whether it’s about shared conditioner scents with your sister or a troubling relationship with a neighbor, and you will receive a considerate response: “I’m sorry this has happened to you.” No matter how intelligent the response is, it’s hard not to feel uplifted by such empathy. You might even find yourself responding, “Thank you, Claude, I appreciate that,” after a lengthy reply filled with motivational sections like “Stand In Your Power; you chose the conditioner.”

While I do have some criticisms, such as its tendency to suggest confronting issues when it might not be necessary, the beauty of using AI is that you can selectively apply the advice that resonates with you, making it akin to conversing with a friend. Despite my skepticism about its sustainability and value as a resource, interacting with AI offers a refreshing escape in a world where answers seem readily available.