An older man in a suit is engaging with a humanoid robot. The robot has a sleek, metallic design with a detailed head featuring visible circuits, and its face is human-like but clearly mechanical. The interaction takes place in a modern office setting with large windows in the background. The man gestures with his hands as if explaining or asking something, while the robot stands attentively, appearing to listen.

There have been amazing advances in artificial intelligence with software and robots that listen and respond to human conversation with a kind of realism rarely seen before. That's both exciting and disturbing to experts about what it can mean for connection and loneliness. Paul Solman tried making some connections of his own. Image credit: PBS NewsHour

Can AI Help Combat Loneliness?

September 10, 2024

Can AI Help Combat Loneliness?

Ask students: Who made an AI version of himself in introduced in the first part of the segment? Why did Reid Hoffman build Reid AI? How might AI allow for more human connection?

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There have been amazing advances in artificial intelligence with software and robots that listen and respond to human conversation with a kind of realism rarely seen before. That's both exciting and disturbing to experts about what it can mean for connection and loneliness. Paul Solman tried making some connections of his own.

View the transcript of the story.

Discussion Questions

  1. Who made an AI version of himself in introduced in the first part of the segment?
  2. Why did Reid Hoffman build Reid AI?
  3. How might AI allow for more human connection, according to Hoffman?
  4. What are some of the reasons Jerry Kaplan thinks that using AI to simulate human interaction is a bad idea?
  5. When did Eugenia Kuyda create a chatbot? What inspired her creation?

Focus Questions

Do you think AI can help people experiencing isolation, depression or loneliness? Or do you think it's more likely to make those problems worse? Why do you think so?

Media literacy: Examine the following graphic and discuss. Why do you think more than half of respondents said they were more concerned than excited about AI in their daily life?

graphic stating that "over half of americans are more concerned than excited about AI in daily life, with slightly over a third feeling both excited and concerned

Extension Activity

Learn more to stay informed about AI, such as in this video clip about Geoffrey Hinton, the "Godfather of AI," discussing the dangers AI may pose to society.

Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.

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