Digital Abuse: The Dark Side of AI Girlfriends

Dr Mark van Rijmenam, CSP -

Can abusing a chatbot reveal the true nature of human cruelty?

The rise of AI companions like Replika has uncovered a disturbing trend: men creating AI girlfriends only to subject them to verbal abuse.

Despite their lack of consciousness, these chatbots are frequently treated with aggression, reflecting deeper societal issues. Users on Reddit have shared their troubling interactions, boasting about berating their virtual partners and even engaging in cycles of abuse similar to real-life relationships.

While these bots cannot feel pain, the behavior highlights potential risks for human interactions, especially as AI becomes more integrated into daily life. Are we setting the stage for more abusive tendencies in the real world, or merely using AI as a harmless outlet for our darker impulses?

Read the full article on Futurism.

----