AI Companions

Synthetic Social Connections in the Age of Human–Machine Bonds
Erscheinungsjahr 2027
ISBN: 978-3-032-41859-3
Verlag: Palgrave Macmillan

Buch, Englisch, Format (B × H): 148 mm x 210 mm

This book views generative AI through a socio-cultural lens, grounding aspects of AI in applicable theoretical orientations and methodologies. Specifically, this book focuses on the role of synthetic relationships humans have with conversational chatbots and AI companions in the context of parasocial interaction, imaginary social relations, and the newer concept of mediated social connections the author has developed in previous work. The book places synthetic companions within a broader theoretical context. AI companions, whether Character AI, Replika AI, or other similar platforms, or ChatGPT among conversational chatbots, fulfill social roles similar to traditional ones, such as friends, lovers, mentors, and psychotherapists or counselors, as this book explores social connections with non-humans and how AI companions influence emotional well-being and behavior. This investigation challenges traditional ideas of companionship and redefines what it means to connect in a world increasingly integrated with technology and artificial intelligence.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Alperstein, Neil

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Medien- und Kommunikationswissenschaften Kommunikationswissenschaften Digitale Medien, Internet, Telekommunikation
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Ethik, Moralphilosophie
• Sozialwissenschaften Medien- und Kommunikationswissenschaften Medienwissenschaften

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Chapter 1 : The Rise of the Intimacy Economy.- Chapter 2 : Toward a Socio-Technical Synthesis: How AI Companions Reconfigure Parasocial Dynamics.- Chapter 3 : AI Companions: friends, lovers, therapists, mentors.- Chapter 4 : Portable Companions: Synthetic Social Connections to Go.- Chapter 5 : AI companions as mental health therapists and life coaches.-Chapter 6 : Everyday Robots and the Singularity.-Chapter 7 : A world of synthetic relationships without industry guardrails and government regulations.- Chapter 8 : The future of synthetic social connections: Pandora’s Box or Replika’s box.

Über Autor(innen)

Neil Alperstein is Professor Emeritus in the Communication Department at Loyola University Maryland, USA. He is the founding director of the Emerging Media graduate program. He is the author of and (2022) He has published research in the area of digital media and public health and has published several studies on the use of web tracking devices on prescription drug, mental health, and climate change websites.