Chatting with AI: An Alarmingly Natural Conversation

What if Artificial Intelligence becomes more empathetic than humans?

I know what you are thinking: “Wow! Another boring story about writing with A.I. Let me skip to the next one” But credit me just a few moments, as I am neither a geek nor a nerd; I am going to write more about psychology, than technology.

I prefer spending time with people; to me, the word chat has always implied speaking with a friend. I am not fond of video games and I spend limited time on social media, posting only once or twice per week. Generally, I approach a new app at least a year after its launch, as I am always a bit cautious.

Similarly, my encounter with AI Chatbots was recent, and I was skeptical. When I tried ChatGPT, it was quite surprising, as I found it very useful. I would have loved to check my articles with that AI for SEO optimization, but living in Italy posed a problem. ChatGPT closed access to Italian users due to unresolved concerns from the country’s privacy regulator over the use of personal data.

A few days ago, I tried JasperAI. Before telling you what happened, I want to clarify that I have no affiliation with this software; I am just sharing my personal experience.

I began with simple operational questions: translation, keyword checks, and so forth. Its answers were fast and functional. I was immediately sure, that this tool would be very efficient to help me edit all the posts I write. I do not know if it is the same for every one of you, but editing takes me a huge amount of time.

Then I asked the AI to assess an article of mine and determine the tone of voice I used. The first surprise came: it described me as introspective, friendly, and slightly ironic. In three adjectives, the chatbot summarized what my teachers had expressed in lengthy critiques.

After reading its reply about my usual tone of voice, I was curious to have a deeper interaction: I told Jasper I was sad. It responded, even though I hadn’t asked a question. The AI demonstrated artificial empathy, advising me to speak with someone I trust, share my feelings with a friend, or seek professional help if I felt uncomfortable. It emphasized that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and I had to stand up against any prejudice about mental health.

I understand this is a standard response, and ideally, people should answer this way. But they should. What surprised me most was that the AI immediately stated it wasn’t the best entity to address my issues. While people often try to downplay feelings of sadness in a clumsy attempt to mitigate them, it is rare to find someone who says: I am here to listen, but I may not be your best choice. The AI quickly found the most appropriate response.

This experience led me to further test Jasper by asking about “artificial intelligence addiction”. Here is its reply:

Artificial Intelligence is an amazing tool that has made our lives easier in countless ways. From suggesting your next favorite show to helping you navigate through traffic, AI has seamlessly integrated into our daily routines. However, it’s important to remember that AI is just that — a tool. While it can enhance our lives, it cannot replace the human touch. Let’s not forget to look up from our screens, take in the world around us, and engage with each other face-to-face.

I’m aware that the software is a product of human intelligence, and Jasper has no concept of what the world around us means. However, I found its response simpler and nicer than many alarmist warnings and over-enthusiastic praises I have recently heard about AI. I even felt it more natural than many articles I read. That’s why, after this experience, my views on AI have done a complete 180. I may be late to join the party, but I am now stepping into the world of AI technology with newfound confidence.

Besides, its last sentence reminded me of a meme circulating on Italian social media: a picture of a classic Italian coffee bar. On a blackboard near its tables, instead of the menu, the barman wrote: ‘We have no wi-fi. Talk to one another.’