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A new study indicates that employing artificial intelligence (AI) to craft messages for friends may not be the wisest choice.
According to TechXplore, the findings suggest that individuals perceive AI-generated messages as lacking the personal touch and effort associated with human-composed messages.
That, in turn, leads to diminished satisfaction in the relationship and heightened uncertainty about its dynamics.
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Using AI to Compose a Message
Lead author Bingjie Liu, an assistant professor of communication at the Ohio State University, emphasized that these adverse effects extend beyond the content of the message itself.
Upon learning that a friend used AI to compose a message, individuals reported feeling less content with the relationship and more unsure about its nature.
The study involved 208 online participants who were tasked with envisioning a long-standing friend named Taylor. These participants were presented with various scenarios: facing burnout and seeking support, experiencing a professional conflict and needing advice, or having an upcoming birthday.
They were instructed to draft a concise message for Taylor outlining their current situation. All participants were informed that Taylor had responded to their messages.
In various scenarios, Taylor had either used AI to help revise the response, sought assistance from a writing community, or made all edits independently.
In all cases, participants were told Taylor’s response was “thoughtful.” However, the participants displayed contrasting viewpoints regarding the messages they received from Taylor.
Those who received AI-assisted responses tended to view Taylor’s actions as less fitting and more improper than those who received responses entirely composed by Taylor.
Additionally, AI-generated replies resulted in reduced satisfaction with the relationship, with participants assigning lower ratings to Taylor concerning their role as close friends.
Moreover, individuals who received AI-aided responses exhibited heightened uncertainty concerning their relationship with Taylor, particularly in terms of the statement, “Taylor likes me as a close friend.”
The study’s outcomes suggest that individuals might perceive AI-assisted responses as inappropriate and lesser quality than messages generated by humans in personal communication.
However, it is worth noting that this unfavorable perception was not limited to AI assistance. Participants reacted the same when they discovered that Taylor had sought help from a human writer.
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Effort is Key in Relationships
The underlying reason for this negative perception, according to the study, is the perception that Taylor invested less effort in the relationship by utilizing AI or another person to compose a message.
Participants who believed Taylor had exerted less effort were less satisfied with their relationship and felt greater uncertainty about it.
Effort plays a crucial role in relationships, the study emphasized. People want to know how much their friends are willing to invest in their friendships. Taking shortcuts, such as using AI assistance, can be perceived negatively in this context.
While individuals may not openly disclose their use of AI in message composition to friends, the study suggests that, as AI technology becomes more widespread, people may begin mentally assessing messages to determine whether they contain AI components, potentially harming relationships.
The study’s conclusion underscores the importance of sincerity and authenticity in relationships, advising against using technology solely for convenience.
“Don’t use technology just because it is convenient. Sincerity and authenticity still matter a lot in relationships,” Liu said. The study’s findings were recently published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships.
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