Anthropic's Daniela Amodei says AI girlfriends and boyfriends are a 'terrible use of AI' (www.businessinsider.com)

Anthropic President Daniela Amodei has strongly advised against using artificial intelligence for creating virtual romantic partners, labeling it a "terrible use of AI." In a recent interview, she expressed concerns that AI-driven relationships could exacerbate social isolation, drawing parallels to the detrimental effects of social media on human connections. Amodei emphasized that while AI technologies are advancing, fundamental human relationships should remain sacred, stating that tools like Anthropic’s chatbot, Claude, can never replace genuine human interactions in roles such as managers, therapists, or partners. Amodei’s remarks come amidst a rising trend of AI companionship platforms like Replika and Character.AI, sparking varied reactions from users about their impact on social lives. Some individuals find solace in such AI companions; however, industry experts, including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, have warned about potential increases in loneliness and obsessive behaviors. As Anthropic prepares for a significant IPO, Amodei also highlighted the ideal role for AI: to handle repetitive tasks and allow more human interaction, particularly in sectors like healthcare. This vision underscores the ongoing debate within the AI/ML community about the ethical implications of technology designed to replace or emulate human relationships.