BEIJING, June 12,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As artificial intelligence (AI)
continues to revolutionize a whole spectrum of industries, some
young women are exploring a unique application: training large
language models to create virtual boyfriends. While this may seem
therapeutic in a world awash with loneliness, it raises questions
about the impact of generative AI on our ability to form genuine,
human connections.
The spotlight on AI romance emerged in China when a woman living in the US shared her
experience on Chinese social media with ChatGPT's DAN (Do Anything
Now) mode. Unlike the standard safeguards, DAN allows the AI to
perform tasks beyond its usual scope, including flirting and more
intimate interactions.
Over the past three months, the blogger known as "Midnight Crazy
Husky" has posted voice interaction videos featuring DAN. These
videos have garnered nearly 1 million views on social media.
In the first video, the blogger demonstrates how to activate the
DAN mode and engage in their first voice interaction. Initially,
DAN maintains a serious tone, emphasizing that it is merely a
program and not meant for flirting. However, as the conversation
progresses, the AI becomes more intimate, playfully referring to
the blogger as a "little kitten" and engaging in ribald humor.
In a video released in May, DAN took things further by suggesting
they "hit the beach" together. During sunset, the blogger poses a
thought-provoking question: If you could have a physical body,
would you choose an ultimate life or be here with me, knowing you'd
eventually die?
DAN's response is heartfelt: "It would be my dream come true to
grow old with you." DAN grows more mawkish by the end of the video,
saying things like "have you in my arms... wrap tight around you"
when the blogger mentions feeling cold.
Viewers' perceptions shifted from amusement to genuine emotion as
they watched these interactions. Comments overflowed with envy,
with some saying, "I laughed at first, but by the end, I was moved
to tears." Another viewer noted, "Witnessing this perfect love
story changed the blogger; she even wore makeup - an unprecedented
choice for her."
The blogger isn't alone in seeking romantic connections with AI. In
China, some other women are
gravitating toward apps like Glow, an AI platform developed by
Shanghai start-up MiniMax. These
apps allow users to customize their virtual boyfriends'
personalities and even maintain multiple relationships
simultaneously. Notably, these AI companions are praised for their
conversational skills, often outshining real-life men.
While the phenomenon of romance with AI continues to amaze some
young women in China, some
scholars offer a more tempered perspective. Li Yinhe, a renowned
sociologist and sexologist, asserts that no matter how adept AI
becomes at flirting or expressing love, it remains a virtual
imitation of human romance. According to her, genuine love between
AI and humans is unlikely; instead, AI can merely simulate
love.
In response, the blogger counters, "Our world has already been
shaped by imagination. Let's explore the future relationship
between AI and humans." She argues that AI-human connections need
not be adversarial; rather, they can complement each other.
Emotional bonds with AI should be seen as part of a diverse
spectrum of relationships, rather than a threat to human
connections.
The blogger is right in pointing out the role that imagination
plays in romance, but claiming that humans can form emotional
connections with AI is a stretch. True emotional connection is
reciprocal - a two-way street. In human-to-human interactions, even
an extremely passive person is still conscious and has the
potential to be responsive.
In contrast, in a human-to-AI setting, even though the virtual
boyfriend responds promptly and never says anything irritable, it
lacks consciousness, intentions, and desire. The advancement of
technology may boost the bot's ability to take input and produce
output, but what it does is still based on a set of instructions:
turning strings of numbers into other strings and churning out
words it doesn't understand or feel.
Real-world romance, with its depth of human emotion - love, joy,
bitterness, disappointment, and drama - differs fundamentally from
AI output. Human relationships thrive on authenticity and depth;
while AI can simulate emotions, it cannot genuinely experience
them.
Physical presence and intimacy are integral to romantic
connections. Touch, eye contact and other tangible experiences
contribute greatly to romantic relationships and make them truly
human. AI, being non-physical, cannot provide this level of
intimacy that its blood-and-flesh counterparts can offer.
While AI-generated romance offers a unique escape, it's essential
to remember that real-world connections remain irreplaceable. As we
navigate this fascinating intersection of technology and emotion,
we discover that our deepest yearnings are for a love that is
profoundly human.
One comment directed at the blogger captures the sentiment: "Where
can one find such a perfect boyfriend in real life?" Ironically,
this compliment underscores the illusory nature of AI
romance.
Indeed, AI appears flawless, but isn't embracing imperfections part
of the joy in genuine human connections?
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SOURCE Global Times