Chatgpt as a Solution To Emotional Loneliness: a New Tool for Interpersonal Communication

Abstract

Loneliness stands as one of the most pervasive and universal health issues in contemporary society. This study, conducted within the scope of emotional loneliness, delves into the nuances of loneliness, understanding its origin and how it manifests in individuals. In the research where students from the Faculty of Communication of a foundation university in Istanbul were chosen as the sample, the data collected through in-depth interviews, a qualitative data collection tool, were analyzed using content analysis method. This phenomenological research design aimed to assess participants' attitudes toward utilizing a chatbot (ChatGPT) as a tool to combat emotional loneliness. Despite their generally positive disposition and strong tendency to anthropomorphize, participants were found to approach the use of ChatGPT with caution. The majority harbored negative judgments about ChatGPT and technological tools meeting emotional and social needs. However, a significant portion believes that the widespread adoption of ChatGPT and similar tools for socialization is imminent in the near future. Concerns predominantly revolve around mistrust in artificial intelligence technologies' ability to meet emotional needs and the potential harms they could inflict on socio-cultural life, with ethical issues forming another major theme. Notably, when expressing their apprehensions, participants frequently referenced artificial intelligence representations in popular culture, such as films, series, and games.