More than a Chatbot: The Rise of the Parasocial Relationships : A qualitative exploratory case of the impact of anthropomorphic AI on users- case of Replika

Sammanfattning

This study investigates the complex relationship between anthropomorphism in AI and its impact on human-AI interactions, particularly within the new concept of parasocial relationships. Through a user study analyzing interactions with the Replika chatbot, we identified key anthropomorphic design components that influence emotional bonding and user engagement. Findings indicate that human-like characteristics can enhance user satisfaction and involvement, yet excessive anthropomorphism may lead to frustration and disappointment, similar yet different from the uncanny valley concept. The paper suggests that anthropomorphism in AI design should be properly balanced so that the user has a positive experience and trust in the technology. The following paper, then, is based on thematic analysis related to user comments and brings out the fine-grained dynamics of human-AI relationships, suggesting the way forward for the future development of AI whereby emotional intelligence is integrated into the development of AI alongside the societal considerations.