Research project The increasing immersion and indistinguishability of AI interactions, particularly in text and rapidly advancing voice, more relational and human-like experiences raise critical questions about human-AI here-and now-relationships, so called Pseudo-Interpresence. Currently, a clear understanding of human-AI here-and now-relationships is lacking, which obstructs ethical development and implementation.
To address this, we investigate the depth and intensity of immersive social and pseudo-social AI experiences, analyzing cognitive and emotional processes, and identifying potential risks across diverse populations. Utilizing a novel interdisciplinary approach that combines neuroscience, psychology, AI ethics, and interaction design, we aim to produce actionable heuristics for responsible AI development.
TAIGA – Centre for Transdisciplinary AI
As society increasingly interacts with sophisticated AI agents, from LLMs to robots, we observe a growing tendency to anthropomorphize these entities, attributing human-like qualities, raising critical questions about human-AI here-and now-relationships, so called Pseudo-Interpresence. While AI-driven interactions offer potential benefits in areas like healthcare and education, they also raise concerns about psychological well-being and susceptibility to manipulation. We lack a clear understanding of healthy human-AI here-and now relational processes, hindering ethical development and implementation. This project will explore the depth and intensity of immersive AI experiences, examining the cognitive and emotional processes involved, and identifying potential risks across diverse populations. Our convergent approach within the Interpresence Institute integrates neuroscience, psychology, AI ethics, and interaction design to produce actionable heuristics for responsible AI development. Successful completion will provide vital guidelines for AI integration in psychological treatment, workplace interactions, and education, ensuring AI enhances human well-being and social connectedness.
