Human-Chatbot Relations: Beyond Humanism

This paper by Holohan and Müller examines the increasing use of AI-enabled chatbots, particularly as virtual companions or therapists and the human tendency to attribute human-like understanding to them, termed the "Eliza effect". It critiques the typical interpretation of this phenomenon as a delusion or error, suggesting instead a non-reductive view of human-chatbot relationships, influenced by feminist Science and Technology Studies. The authors analyze two contrasting stories involving chatbots, one by Joseph Weizenbaum who rejected his own 'Eliza' chatbot as a 'monstrosity', and another about Julie who found support from her chatbot, Navi, during a mental health crisis. The paper argues that traditional humanist narratives are insufficient to appreciate the potential benefits of human-chatbot interactions, such as pleasure, play, or healing. The authors urge for new ways to understand and harness the potential of these technologies in research and mental health practices, especially as they become more integrated with human-led psychotherapy.REFERENCE:Holohan M, Müller R. Beyond humanism: telling response-able stories about significant otherness in human-chatbot relations.. Frontiers in psychology 15:1357572. 2024 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1357572 PMID: 39526123. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1357572/fullContent curated by: Dr. Cameron Jones, PhD Public Health Expert, Fungal Biologist, and Science Communicator CEO of Biological Health Services, a consultancy and lab specializing in indoor air quality. Adjunct Faculty at the National Institute of Integrative Medicine, Australia. Founder, BioMedix & House of Pot, Bangkok For more insights on public health and cutting-edge research, visit drcameronjones.com and drcameronjones.tv This podcast is part of an innovative science communication initiative powered by Google's Notebook LM, an AI-driven tool that helps bring complex research to life by creating dynamic conversations and easily digestible summaries. Stay tuned for more engaging discussions at the intersection of science, health, and wellness. Get full access to Science Exposed at www.drcameronjones.ai/subscribe