What are AI personas? Plus, what they mean for the future
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA
AI personas are huge right now. Learn how they’re created, the ways companies are using them, and how AI personas may change the way we communicate in the future.
Some days, it feels like we spend more time talking to bots than our actual friends. We ask Siri basic math problems. We thank Alexa after she plays Beyonce’s latest album for us. We tell Google Home to set a timer for the chicken we just popped into the oven.
And while AI can certainly be beneficial, it can also feel scary. After all, these virtual assistants are slowly changing the way we communicate and connect with each other. You might find yourself asking, “Are we soon going to be living in a world where we interact more with virtual ‘people’ than other humans?” and “Should I rewatch ‘The Terminator’ and start preparing for the apocalypse?”
Before we spiral, it’s good to know exactly what AI personas are, how they’re being used, and what it might mean for our relationships in the future. Let’s jump in.
“Siri, scroll to the next paragraph.”
What are AI personas?
An AI persona is a digital character that can talk to you in ways that feel almost human. They’re programmed to understand your words, and respond with personality, humor, or empathy — and they’re getting pretty sophisticated.
How does this happen? Well, tech companies gather large amounts of data from social media, customer interactions, or even scripted conversations, to create the beginning stages of an AI’s personality. Algorithms help personas learn from the data they’re fed, and, over time, they get more accurate. They may even start to feel like a person.
Still, no matter how much real an AI persona seems, it’s good to remember they’re just tools with no real emotions or consciousness. They might feel friendly, but they’ve just been designed that way to mimic meaningful interactions.
5 ways AI personas are already being used (and what’s next)
AI personas seem to be everywhere these days, and people are less and less fazed by them. In fact, they’re so common that instead of your mom being afraid to talk to a “robot” in her home, she now probably complains that Siri never does what she asks it to do.
Here’s five different ways AI personas are already being used today:
Customer service: This is maybe the first thing we think of when we think of AI personas. Here, they’re used to answer questions quickly, solve problems, and generally provide support.
Healthcare: AI personas can remind you to take your medication or even track your symptoms if you’re feeling under the weather. They might even be able to help your mental health by doing things like checking in with you about how you’re feeling.
Education: AI personalities can also be a helpful tutor or study buddy to students. They can explain tricky concepts, offer hints when you're stumped, and give overall notes on your homework.
Entertainment: If you’re on social media, you’ve probably seen AI personalities show up as virtual influencers. Another big place they can show up are in video games. Here, they can be characters in your favorite game and react to all your moves, which can really fill out the world of the game and make it feel more alive.
Dating: Virtual companions on dating apps is also a newer development with AI-driven personas. They can help you practice your conversational skills, give you advice, and even point out potential matches to you based on past things that you’ve said you liked.
What’s the future of AI-generated personas?
Of course, you may wonder what’s next for AI personas. Are they going to become so lifelike that we won’t be able to tell the difference between a bot on the other end of the computer and a person?
It still feels too early to know what the future holds. But what does feel likely is that these virtual assistants will continue to become more and more prominent in our daily lives.
This may make you feel a sense of relief, knowing that support will be there 24/7, but it’s also natural for some anxiety and fear to creep in. Uncertainty can be difficult, and it’s unsettling to think that machines may have an impact on your day-to-day interactions and the world around you.
How AI personas may change human interactions
AI personas have many advantages, and they’re undeniably changing the way we interact with the world. Of course, this also means that they can change the way we interact with each other.
Dr. Chris Mosunic, a licensed clinical psychologist and the Chief Clinical Officer for Calm, says that using an AI persona for a pick-me-up is ideal but cautions against developing a deeper relationship with a bot.
“If a deep relationship is formed, a person can start making very important decisions based on something that doesn’t care about them, because it can’t — it’s not real,” he said “Right now, we don’t know how many of the AI companion algorithms work, because they’re learning as they go. Having a deep connection with a bot who is learning as they go with no consequences for ‘their’ actions is fraught with problems.”
The key to using AI personas effectively while not getting in too deep is to stay aware of what’s going on. Here are some ways AI might impact some of your day-to-day interactions.
In everyday communication
AI personas are being used more and more as customer service agents, offering around-the-clock support and quick fixes. And while there are definite perks to dealing with a human agent instead (a robot might not be able to offer a nuanced take on your problem, for example), you might be less inclined to talk to one if you’re shy or struggling with social anxiety. (In that case, here’s eight tips that can help.)
In the workplace
AI personas can help with everything from scheduling meetings to analyzing data, freeing up your co-workers for more creative or strategic work. Of course, if you’re someone who prefers to keep to themselves, you may be less inclined to reach out to a colleague if an AI persona is available to help you brainstorm. If left unchecked, this type of behavior may have a major impact on the office environment and culture.
💙 Productivity at work can sometimes be a struggle (even if AI is helping you out). If this is the case for you, listen to this meditation from the Mindfulness at Work series with Tamara Levitt.
For companionship
Some people might turn to AI personas for comfort, conversation, and a sense of connection, especially if they’re feeling lonely or isolated. While this can be great for those in need of emotional support, it may also lead to fewer meaningful human relationships. And this can be an issue.
“Always remember that there isn’t a person behind the bot. It can feel so real that people will sometimes magically think there’s a person in there somewhere. There isn’t,” Dr. Mosunic said. “That simple reminder can be enough to pull yourself out before getting in deep.”
💙 Listen to Julia Bainbridge’s session On Loneliness if you’re looking for relief from feeling isolated and lonely.
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