People more lonely and using AI chatbots as companions, says report

The report found that the capabilities of AI are improving, but performance can remain 'jagged' with leading systems still failing at some 'seemingly simple tasks'

'AI companion apps have attracted tens of millions of users and some users have developed strong emotional dependence, delusions, or even taking their own lives after extended interaction with chatbots, though investigations into these incidents are ongoing.' File picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA

Tens of millions of people around the world now use artificial intelligence as a “companion” — and it is making some more lonely and reducing the amount of social interaction they have, a report has found.

The International AI Safety report, chaired by Canadian computer scientists Yoshua Bengio, is backed by the EU, UK, and China to document a “state of play” with AI technology and guide policymakers on legislation.

“The pace of AI progress raises daunting challenges,“ Mr Bengio said.

“However, working with the many experts that produced this report has left me hopeful. I am immensely grateful for the enormous efforts of all contributors — we are making progress towards understanding these risks.” 

The report found that the capabilities of AI are improving, particularly in mathematics, coding, and autonomous operating, but performance can remain “jagged” with leading systems still failing at some “seemingly simple tasks”.

It said AI adoption has been rapid but highly unequal in different parts of the world, with 700 million people using such systems each week.

There is more evidence of AI being used in real-world cyberattacks, according to the report, while reliable testing before the technology is deployed has become harder to conduct.

The report said: 

AI companion apps have attracted tens of millions of users and some users have developed strong emotional dependence, delusions, or even taking their own lives after extended interaction with chatbots, though investigations into these incidents are ongoing. 

It said more research is needed into how AI manipulation works and whether they can induce true or false beliefs in people.

The report said deepfake pornography is a “particular concern” and creates challenges for policymakers. “A particularly concerning use of AI tools is to generate sexually explicit content involving minors,” it said.

At home, a dedicated Oireachtas committee has been examining issues surrounding AI, chaired by Fianna Fáil’s Malcolm Byrne.

In its first interim report late last year, it called for an “immediate, co-ordinated, and all-of-Government approach” and the establishment of the first national AI office.

It said such an office must root out the harms being caused by AI in society as part of 85 recommendations it made around the technology.