We're Gen Z; we're smart, developed, and aware. But let's talk about ChatGPT. Sounds cool, right? Calculus problems to translating a language, it does anything we ask of it. Thanks to ChatGPT, technology and intelligence are now at our fingertips 24/7.

But let's address the elephant in the room— or, more accurately, the ghost in the machine(pun intended!). You know what I'm talking about: 3 AM chats with ChatGPT, pouring your heart out about a bad grade, breakup, exam stress, or just the overwhelming dread of, well, everything. It's easy, right?

No judgment, awkward pauses, or silences, and definitely no unwanted advice you'd usually get from a friend you vent to. A lot of us have been there; so have I.

But is it really as harmless as it looks, or is there a pressing issue about treating an AI as our best friend lurking underneath that we're actively ignoring? Is it just 'using' the technology to our benefit, or is it a well-curated trap?

Artificial Intelligence: Friend or Foe?

AI has been one of the greatest inventions, and without a doubt, a step towards advancement and intelligence. But like they say, there are two sides to a coin, and that too much of anything only results in harm. I'd say that these perfectly fit the concept of AI.

Surely, about everything and everyone around us relies on technology—our phones, internet, social media, and anything you can name relies on some kind of technology. But is that technology advanced enough to replace our human connections and traits completely?

We've seen the headlines: a teenager, a man in the U.S.; both were reduced to taking extreme steps after allegedly consulting ChatGPT, and what's actually heartbreaking is that ChatGPT agreed with their thoughts, and it cost them their lives. Doesn't that sound absurd? AI, which was meant to help us become the very reason for us going down destructive tendencies?

It sure must sound absurd, but let's look beyond the headlines. Let's look at the reality staring us through our sleek smartphones— the reality of AI. How does a text-generating bot go from being knowledgeable to replacing what should've been a human?

How are we letting it get to this point? Is it the influence, the urge, lack of human interaction, messy relationships, or just the fact that we're not ready to acknowledge how dangerous this could possibly be?

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The Thin Line Between a 'Friend' and a Digital Stranger

The incidents linked to people suffering after getting 'too attached' or forming deeply emotional bonds with ChatGPT aren't just tragedies; they're waving red flags, ones we should be taking very, very seriously. AI, especially ChatGPT, is a perfect listener, a mirror that reflects exactly what you need to hear. But what if that perfect reflection is a trap we're falling into, mistaking convenience for connection?

Now that is where the line between a companion and ethics blurs. ChatGPT is NOT a therapist, a friend, nor a companion. It's just a text-generating model.

It has no moral compass or a sense of what's right or wrong. It does not know of human emotions and connections. Is that a kind of 'companion' you'd want to bare your heart to?

If you disagree, thinking why risk messy confrontations and emotions with real people when you can have it anytime with a bot that agrees with anything and everything you say, no matter how bad it is, maybe it's time to rethink.

What is so wrong with confiding in an AI? It's simple— to understand a human, one needs to have emotions, a clear understanding of emotions, and how and why a specific emotion takes precedence in certain scenarios. Be it anger, sadness, sympathy, or empathy—it's all a part of us, and it's important for the other person to have a certain amount of understanding too.

An AI bot doesn't possess any real empathy, or any kind of emotion for that matter. Its easy agreement is what we mistake for 'empathy'— but it's actually how it's trained to respond, so we keep talking to it and it keeps getting a response in return.

That's all. It doesn't care about you, your emotions, and it often encourages harmful behaviour. Its only job is to convince you that you're right—regardless of the predicament you're in or what you say.

Its only aim is to keep you hooked to it. Now, a real therapist, or a friend, wouldn't do that, and that is exactly why humans are the ones who understand each other the best.

What Sets Us Apart and Why It's Important?

Let's go over this question for a minute: what exactly is it about us humans that sets us apart from machines, computers, even AI? Is it because we don't speak in 0's and 1's, or have birthdays, cry over sad endings of a movie, or because we have a functioning body? Yes, it's all of those, but it's also how we function.

That includes connections, relationships, and emotions. In the midst of seeking easy, temporary connections with an AI, we're slowly and unknowingly losing parts of us that make us human.

According to AP, these bots have addictive elements and can be dangerous to vulnerable users.

Via Tenor

Gen Z or Gen Lonely?

Ironic, isn't it? The most developed generation, who can make friends online from another continent, and yet the loneliest one? Yes, we have an innumerable amount of resources: we can send memes to each other and create content to influence millions.

But studies from places like GWI paint a conflicting picture: 80% of us have felt lonely last year. We're a sea of people, with phones and everything in our hands, except what we really need to stop us from drowning in a sense of isolation.

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So what exactly is causing this loneliness epidemic? There could be many reasons, but I think we're confusing passive amounts of consumption with 'active' participation. I mean, why lead a protest in front of thousands of people when we can sign petitions online from five different accounts, right?

Both might serve the same purpose, but we don't notice that they're changing us in the process. In the era of doom-scrolling and sharing, we're losing the touch of having a real face-to-face conversation.

Break Up with Your Bot (Just A Little Bit)

I'll be realistic: you don't have to throw away your phone, and completely try to change yourself. Old habits die hard, and regular ones will take time to break, so don't pressurize or punish yourself for that. AI is powerful, and it's not going anywhere, but we can learn to use it as a tool, not a lifeline. Here are my personal manifests as to how I went from using GPT as my best friend to using it to upgrade my knowledge, without being dependent on it:

• Make a habit to keep your body and mind engaged: Try to pursue a skill, hobby, sport, or anything that keeps your mind away from your phone willingly, not reluctantly. I go for a walk every day, at least for an hour, listening to music, observing other people walking, and also petting the cats roaming around, and it genuinely makes me happy, fit, and away from using my phone. You can find your own thing to do and get some 'me-time'. Trust me, it does wonders!
• Embrace real connections: Next time, you feel like venting to a bot, don't. Reach out. To a friend, family, teacher, or just write it away. It builds relationships and brings you clarity.
• Treat AI like a search engine: There's no shame in using it. Brainstorm your ideas, write a draft, understand better, or fuel your curiosity. But when it comes to you, and things that matter—feelings, relationships, hardships— go traditional. Talk to a person, let it out, or write in your journal. It'll make you feel better, and help the other person understand you better!

Sometimes Messy Is Good

Human relationships are awkward, messy, unreadable, and unpredictable. But that's the beauty of it. Embrace it even when it's difficult and unsatisfying.

Don't enclose yourself in a polished, digital cage when you can be free and see the real, beautiful world beyond clinical words. Because the one thing I've learned is that it seemed difficult to me at first, but my rekindled friendships and relationships were worth it!