Do you think there are any possible positive use cases for using an AI for a place to vent? Or to create REBT or CBT exercises?
I understand there are risks of it becoming an echo chamber or people treating it like an actual being, but if it’s just a place where you vent your thoughts, is that inherently bad?
I think the problem lies in knowing that it's designed to get you to use it more. This practice can also lead to ruminative thinking, as it may create a desire to use it again and again. I, personally, don't think it's a bad thing to use it to create some CBT exercises to give some perspective and healthily cope with a situation. But everything in moderation, eh? So, that said, the key term is "healthily cope"--which can easily turn into unhealthy coping if we turn to AI to vent. The consequence then becomes being prone to ruminative thinking (as I said), some unconscious emotional dependence... In short, I would say, proceed with caution (some people cannot).
Just wanted to add that the other question becomes "Would AI challenge me in the same way a therapist would?" I'm apt to say no. The therapist would be more indifferent when it comes to real Socratic work, and getting you to challenge yourself. AI might add a dash of sychofancy and is less likely to be 100 percent indifferent.
Do you think there are any possible positive use cases for using an AI for a place to vent? Or to create REBT or CBT exercises?
I understand there are risks of it becoming an echo chamber or people treating it like an actual being, but if it’s just a place where you vent your thoughts, is that inherently bad?
Why not just journal? Would Meditations be different if it was Marcus chatting with an AI chatbot instead of meditating on his own?
I think the problem lies in knowing that it's designed to get you to use it more. This practice can also lead to ruminative thinking, as it may create a desire to use it again and again. I, personally, don't think it's a bad thing to use it to create some CBT exercises to give some perspective and healthily cope with a situation. But everything in moderation, eh? So, that said, the key term is "healthily cope"--which can easily turn into unhealthy coping if we turn to AI to vent. The consequence then becomes being prone to ruminative thinking (as I said), some unconscious emotional dependence... In short, I would say, proceed with caution (some people cannot).
Just wanted to add that the other question becomes "Would AI challenge me in the same way a therapist would?" I'm apt to say no. The therapist would be more indifferent when it comes to real Socratic work, and getting you to challenge yourself. AI might add a dash of sychofancy and is less likely to be 100 percent indifferent.