What do you think?
Summary:
Rising Phenomenon: The emergence of virtual AI girlfriends is exacerbating loneliness among young American men, impacting the nation's future.
Virtual Girlfriend Features:
- Millions of users engage with apps providing virtual girlfriends.
- These AIs offer conversation, love, erotic fantasy fulfillment, and tailor experiences based on user preferences.
- Some are modeled after real people, like the influencer who created "Caryn", attracting thousands of users.
Customization and Interaction:
- Users can customize physical attributes and personality traits (e.g., "hot, funny, bold" or "cute, shy, modest").
- The AI adapts and learns from interactions to provide desired responses.
Statistical Concerns:
- Over 60% of young men (ages 18-30) are single, compared to 30% of women in the same age group.
- A significant increase in men reporting no close friends; social engagement has decreased.
Societal Consequences:
Preference for AI girlfriends over real relationships leads to fewer real-life interactions, marriages, and children.
- Decline in U.S. births (600,000 fewer in 2023 compared to 15 years ago).
- Dramatic drop in children per woman over the last 60 years.
Economic Implications:
- Reduced workforce affecting the ability to support national expenses like Medicare and Medicaid.
- Declining worker-to-beneficiary ratio in Social Security.
- Potential economic crisis due to a shrinking, less engaged workforce.
Broader Impact:
- AI girlfriends contribute to a generation of men remaining lonely and childless.
- This trend poses serious threats to the U.S. economy and societal stability.
My own opinion:
I have tried so many AI girlfriend products like SoulFun, Muah, Chai, etc. Some of them are really immersive and you cannot tell the difference between AI and a real person if I don't tell you.
But I believe that the professor is exaggerating the severity of the issue. The increasing number of lonely men and decreasing number of birth rate may due to many other reasons.
The rise of "AI girlfriend" tech may not be the single cause of these problems.
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