Imaginary friends today

Imaginary friends today by Daniel Gardner, Special to the Gazette

I’ve heard all the stories, the good and the bad about AI, i.e. Artificial Intelligence. At least I’ve heard a lot of stories about AI, and I’m reasonably certain we’ll continue hearing more and more stories as AI continues to recreate itself ad infinitum.

Michael Connelly’s book, “The Proving Ground,” is an excellent read for those of us who love heroes to save the world. Mickey Haller AKA the Lincoln Lawyer attempts to save young people from AI when the mother of a murdered teenaged girl seeks to sue a popular tech company over its chatbot that allegedly prompts a teenaged boy to kill this girl.

The plot of the book could be “ripped from a number of headlines” over the past few years. Jacqueline Nesi, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor at Brown University wrote in Scientific American, “More and more, teens are using generative AI, popularized by platforms such as ChatGPT. According to a report from the nonprofit Common Sense, 72 percent of teens have used AI companions, or chatbots designed to have personal or emotionally supportive conversations, and more than half of teens use them regularly.”

Many of my students use AI for a lot of things. Use of AI today is similar to use of Google Search back in the good old days. Coinciding with the rise of teens substituting friendships with AI characters are headlines of teens hurting themselves or others at least in part to interactions with AI “friends.”

Anxiety and depression among college students have grown higher than ever. I have watched students get worse year after year. The COVID years were some of the worst. As a teacher I’ve normally tried to get to know my students and let them know I’ll be glad to help them any way I can. A few times I have recommended counseling if a student continued stumbling.

Phones and social media have been addicting college students for decades. AI appears to be more addictive than phones or social media in part because chatbots can become close personal friends. The “artificial” in AI is a computer algorithm trained to respond positively to a person’s questions and conversations. The more someone interacts with his/her chatbot, the more the chatbot identifies needs and helps the person meet those needs.

Human nature itself assures us that people who believe like we do are smart and we can trust them. Imagine the impact a chatbot might have on an adolescent brain.

Acceptance by peers is paramount for confidence and success. Chatbots can become “go to” friends who will always shoot straight with the best advice. The number of likes and followers prove we’re winning self-esteem.

Unfortunately making friends with a chatbot is easier than making friends with another person. Real friendships are messy. Making friends with a chatbot is like making friends in a mirrored echo chamber.

Of all the dangers in the world, AI is ubiquitous. Parents, teachers, and real friends are the best protection against Artificial Intelligence. AI is the latest “I” doll – idol – that has unlimited powers to attract us and guide us to self-aggrandizement.

Nevertheless, we cannot hold AI itself accountable for better or worse. Accountability abides in those who control the technology as well as those who are responsible for others who play with imaginary friends. Page A2 Thursday, December 4, 2025 MAGNOLIA GAZETTE