5 Dangers of Forming a Parasocial Relationship with AI
Spiritual Life
Audio By Carbonatix
By Cally Logan, Crosswalk.com
In 1999, the film The Bicentennial Man, starring Robin Williams, perplexed audiences for several reasons, most especially because of its love story, which was anything but natural. At the time, an entirely new millennium was at the forefront of everyone’s minds as we all contemplated what life might be like in the future. The movie follows the “life” of an android purchased as a “household appliance” tasked with assisting the family. Over time, the artificially intelligent being evolved, and eventually, he marries one of the descendants of the original family. In 1999, the concept of a human marrying a robot was an absurd idea, which is what gave the film a spotlight of shock and captivation. However, a quarter-century later, we find that once mind-bending and perplexing notion has become a reality for those who engage in the parasocial practice of dating AI or having a ChatGPT significant other. The question then arises: is it dangerous to normalize such a practice?
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Willie B. Thomas
1. Not Good to Be Alone
The Creation account given in the very dawn of man’s time on this earth is filled with God illuminating the good, or the tov, of His creation. It is not until Genesis 2:18 that we are given any remark of anything that is not good: “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’” (NIV)
God created man for community, for connection, and for communion with Him and with one another. This suitable helper or, neḡeḏ, is a counterpart, one that is designed intentionally to fill a position. Such a role is not merely to fill the void of time, or to offer back an algorithmically designed response to a question; such a seat at the metaphorical table of life is for a neḡeḏ, one specifically made to fit.
2. Distorted Reality
Holding a parasocial arrangement with a bot distorts reality. True reality is found from what is authentically and wholly veritable; therefore, the ultimate form of reality would be that of God’s viewpoint of all that was, is, and will be upon this earth and beyond. With that ideal in place, a connection held with an artificial lifeform is an augmented form of reality. If the computer's power goes out, so does the access point to the virtual relationship. This can be excessively damaging to a person's mental health; if there is a distorted view of what is actual and what is fantasy, many problems can arise. A distorted reality uses a lensing that is not God’s and, therefore, is vulnerable to pernicious manipulation.
3. Reliance and Dependence on a Machine
Forming an unnatural dependency on a machine can, in many ways, become an addiction. This form of addiction may happen suddenly or slowly grow over time from a once occasional habit, but it can result in the inability to function or be at peace without tapping into a source, in this case, interaction with the online outlet. This may manifest itself in giving human qualities to an inanimate object, such as giving the computer-generated platform a name, assigning feelings, emotions, or other qualities, or referring to it as if it were a man or woman. The more this kind of behavior is permitted or encouraged, the more difficult it will be to overcome or give up reliance on it, and it carries the great potential to miss out on truly living.
4. Why People Turn to AI Relationships
Just as the proposal of a human woman marrying an artificial man composed of wires and computer chips in The Bicentennial Man appeared radical years ago, the suggestion of a person committing to an AI Bot as a romantic partner can seem preposterous even now. Yet, for many reasons, many find themselves engaged in practice. For some, there is a safety net, especially if they have been rejected by potential romantic interests in the past, because a computer cannot turn you down for a date. The computer also will not be found to cheat on you or leave you for someone else (abandonment trauma), and it offers the semblance that it can be controlled by the user. One of the greatest pitfalls of mankind in this age is the overt desire to control one’s life. Simulation-based relationships give the illusion that the human user is the one in charge. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, as the program is designed to move the user (the flesh-and-blood person) to use it constantly. Although it gives the appearance that the user has the upper hand, they are, in fact, just another customer paying for a service. When we understand why someone does something, it is not to enable them, to encourage them, or to perpetuate the problem. It is instead to have the ability to respond in a way that offers aid, not judgement.
5. How the Church Should Respond
As the Church, we have a duty to respond and help those who are in need. Many who participate in these cyber connections are excessively lonely; they are fearful and feel like outcasts, so they attempt to find solace in something they believe will not toss them aside. Our approach should be to seek the Lord for His guidance and wisdom on how we ought to navigate first and foremost, but we must operate in grace, rooted in His Spirit. Those who subscribe to these practices are no different from the sinners Jesus approached during His time on earth. Luke 5:30-31 teaches, “But the Pharisees and their scribes complained to Jesus’ disciples, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.’”
We must not think ourselves better than others. We must provide opportunities for others to feel welcome in the Church. This could look like hosting a mixer or event for singles that is warm, inviting, and safe. It could look like engaging in friendship to help bring that person back into the land of the living a little more, or it could look like offering a support group for those who know in their core that they need support in getting out of a tangled web. More often than not, the Enemy likes to isolate a person to convince them that they are the only one, that they should hide in shame, or that they are without someone to sympathize with them. When we peel back these lies, what is found underneath is the possibility of genuinely providing a way out.
How You Can Help
Normalizing the union or committed relationship with a human and an AI Server is not the answer to this modern problem, but ostracizing others is not either. Instead, pray for those who have found themselves stuck in these habits, for God can do more than we can even possibly imagine in their hearts, and He might use you in the process.
Related:
How Should Christians Respond to Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial Intelligence: Useful Tool or Dangerous Idea?
How Christians Can Use AI without Sacrificing Spiritual Connection
