“I asked ChatGPT for a hug”: Nigerians are turning to AI for emotional support
- Tomi, a 23-year-old, uses ChatGPT to express her feelings of exhaustion and unrequited love, seeking comfort in AI responses.
- Favour, another user, turns to ChatGPT for support during job hunting and post-graduation uncertainty, finding the chatbot's responses personal and helpful.
- AI researcher Jeffery Otoibhi explains the layers of empathy in AI, noting that while chatbots can mimic kindness, they lack true emotional understanding.
While AI chatbots like ChatGPT provide a valuable outlet for emotional expression, they cannot replace the nuanced understanding and empathy of human therapists. The growing reliance on AI for emotional support raises concerns about the potential impact on social interactions and mental health stigma. It is crucial to find a balance between utilizing AI for support and ensuring access to professional mental health services.
