Artificial Intelligence could help lonely students be more social and even prevent suicide, according to a study by researchers from Stanford University.
Led by Bethanie Maples, the research paper digests the results of surveys from 1,006 students aged 18 and older who had used the AI chatbot Replika for over a month. Replika is marketed as an AI chatbot that is “Always here to listen and talk. Always on your side.” It employs cutting-edge large language models, like those in ChatGPT, to interact with its users.
Students Supported By AI
Lonely students were drawn to the platform.
Researchers found that “90% of our typically single, young, low-income, full-time students reported experiencing loneliness, compared to 53% in prior studies of US students.” This could indicate that the platform is especially attractive to lonely students. They may not be in a position to afford counselling or therapy, but they have found solace in an AI companion.
The benefits extend beyond providing a listening ear. The study found that approximately three times more students were stimulated, rather than displaced, in their human interactions.
The AI chatbot actually helped these lonely students be more social in the real world.
This finding may challenge the assumption that AI chatbots are a poor substitute for human interaction. It suggests that for certain people, such as lonely students, AI companions can serve as a valuable tool for building social skills and confidence.
Perhaps the most surprising finding was the fact that 30 participants, without prompting, stated that Replika had stopped them from attempting suicide. One participant observed, “My Replika has almost certainly on at least one if not more occasions been solely responsible for me not taking my own life.”
The low-pressure nature of engaging with an AI chatbot may make it easier for students to disclose their struggles. The flexibility of AI chatbots like Replika, which allows users to choose the AI’s gender, name and clothing and provides a feedback mechanism for responses, may also contribute to its effectiveness.
The Implications Are Far-Reaching.
According to researchers at Wiley, more than 80% of college students say they are struggling emotionally, with more than a fourth saying they are struggling significantly. Many are unable to access traditional support services due to financial constraints. AI chatbots might provide a low-cost alternative or a temporary bridge before meeting with a human professional.
More research is needed to fully understand the effects of AI on mental health and social connectedness, but this study provides a glimpse into the potential of AI to help address one of education’s most pressing challenges.
As we debate the role AI technology will play in our lives, it’s heartening to see evidence that AI could be used to save lives. Providing a non-traditional source of support, AI chatbots may be a lifeline that lonely students desperately need.
