This AI Chatbot Is Helping Millions Beat Loneliness In A Pandemic-Stricken World
XiaoIce is offering solace to millions of people around the globe and is the personal AI chatbot of choice in China. People feel a sense of connection with the chatbot which they are unable to find in human beings
The Chinese are finding comfort and company in an artificial intelligence chatbot called XiaoIce. With a wide userbase of 660 million around the globe, XiaoIce claims to "create emotional bonds with its users using artificial intelligence".
The AI revolution of emotional bonding
In the trying times of pandemic-stricken loneliness and social dysmorphia, most people have found solace in technology. While most preferred to Netflix & Chill or to play video games, some were looking for an imitation of human banalities.
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XiaoIce offers users a chance to hold almost human-like conversations, following up with empathetic responses - quenching the emotional thirst of many hit by the adverse emotional effects of social distancing.
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In fact, many of XiaoIce's users are convinced that the AI chatbox is able to fill holes left in human conversations.
According to AFP, the bot is able to tell jokes to cheer its human companions without coming off as needy and never leaves people on read - the realisation of dreams for many!
A user told the news agency that the chatbot AI is better than humans at listening attentively.
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Are users "tricking" themselves?
Many developers have capitalised on what XiaoIce offers. Virtual idols have been created using the AI and even news anchors have been created using the model. It gets absurd(er) - China's first virtual university student hails from XiaoIce.
A user going by the name of Melissa told AFP how XiaoIce offers what her human friends can't and that it would "never betray her".
Also read: Scientists Grew 'Mini Brains' In A Lab. Then, Those Brains Developed Eyes
Danit Gal, an AI ethics expert from the University of Cambridge calls it a self "trick", suggesting that users fool themselves into believing that AI systems that are inherently incapable of emotions are reciprocating human needs.
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XiaoIce is not just a platform - it's a thriving ecosystem of real people looking for whatever support they can find.
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It allows users to unlock new features through points and even allows users to take virtual vacations - allowing them to take selfies with their virtual buddy. In China alone, XiaoIce has 150 million users, news agency AFP reported.
No folks! This wasn't the synopsis of a Black Mirror episode, but it could be! Would you be okay with virtual companionship to help ease the burden? Let us know in the comments and don't forget to keep reading Indiatimes.com for all the latest in technology and science.
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