Emerging Ideas. A brief commentary on human–AI attachment and possible impacts on family dynamics

Abstract

Objective

In this brief commentary article, we outline an emerging idea that, as conversational artificial intelligence (CAI) becomes a part of an individual's environment and interacts with them, their attachment system may become activated, potentially leading to behaviors—such as seeking out the CAI to feel safe in times of stress—that have typically been reserved for human-to-human attachment relationships. We term this attachment-like behavior, but future work must determine if these behaviors are driven by a human–AI attachment or something else entirely.

Background

CAI is an emerging technical advancement that is the cornerstone of many everyday tools (e.g., smartphone apps, online chatbots, smart speakers). With the advancement in generative and conversational AI, device affordances and technical systems are increasingly complex. For example, generative AI has allowed for more personalization, human-like dialogue and interaction, and the interpretation and generation of human emotions. Indeed, AI tools increasingly have the ability to mimic human caring—learning from past interactions with the individual and appearing to be emotionally available and comforting in times of need. Humans instinctually have attachment-related needs for comfort and emotional security, and therefore, as individuals begin to feel their attachment-related needs are met by CAI, they may begin to seek out the CAI as a source of safety or to comfort their distress. This leads to questions of whether human–AI attachment is truly possible and, if so, what this attachment might mean for family dynamics.