Average General Companionship — A theory of the future of AI companions
As artificial intelligence continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, the concept of AI companions has become increasingly intriguing. While early iterations of virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa have provided us with valuable functionalities, the next frontier lies in developing AI companions that go beyond mere utility. The idea of Average General Companionship (AGC) posits a theory where AI companions are designed to provide not just practical assistance, but also emotional support, companionship, and genuine human-like interactions. This article delves into the future of AI companions, exploring the potential benefits, ethical considerations, and the transformative impact they could have on our lives. By analyzing emerging technologies, societal trends, and psychological theories, we aim to shed light on the possibilities and challenges that lie ahead as we envision a world where AI companions become an integral part of our daily lives.
A short history of personal voice assistants
Siri and Alexa emerged as the pioneering first-generation personal voice assistants, revolutionizing the way we interact with our devices and homes. Siri, introduced by Apple in 2011, made its debut on the iPhone 4S, marking a significant milestone in voice recognition technology. With Siri, users could effortlessly perform tasks, ask questions, and control various features using natural language commands. Amazon’s Alexa, unveiled in 2014 with the Amazon Echo smart speaker, brought voice assistance to our living spaces. Alexa quickly gained popularity, expanding beyond the Echo to other devices, allowing users to manage their smart homes, play music, shop, and access a vast array of skills simply by speaking. These early voice assistants paved the way for subsequent generations, sparking a wave of innovation and transforming voice interaction into an integral part of our daily lives.
The rise of loneliness
Loneliness has been steadily rising in the United States, leading to what is often referred to as a “loneliness epidemic”. In 2018, 30% of older adults reported feeling lonely, and by 2019, 58% of Americans often felt like no one in their life knew them well. Interestingly, age does not seem to predict loneliness; factors such as living alone, poor health, infrequent social interactions, and being unmarried are all predictors of loneliness across all age groups.
Gender plays a role too, but data is limited. International studies suggest women are more likely to report feelings of loneliness than men, though senior men experience more social isolation than women, possibly due to fewer social ties and less contact with friends and family3.
A definition of Average General Companionship
Average General Companionship (AGC) is a term coined to describe the evolving relationship between human beings and intelligent machines, surpassing the conventional functional roles of phones or laptops. In this context, AGC emphasizes the potential for intelligent machines to fulfill not only practical needs but also provide emotional support and companionship that humans crave. With the rapid advancement of AI and the increasing sophistication of virtual assistants and chatbots, the prospect of technology playing a significant role in meeting our emotional needs is becoming a reality. AGC envisions a future where intelligent machines can empathize, engage in meaningful conversations, and offer companionship that goes beyond mere algorithms and computations. As society continues to grapple with the challenges of isolation, loneliness, and mental health, exploring the possibilities of AGC opens up new avenues for leveraging AI to enhance our well-being and foster a deeper connection with technology.
While AGI aims to create highly intelligent machines capable of performing a wide range of tasks, AGC focuses on leveraging technology to meet our emotional and companionship needs. AGI is a broader concept encompassing the overall intelligence of machines, while AGC is a specific aspect of human-machine interaction that addresses emotional connection and support.
The future of Average General Companionship
Personality customisation
Customizing the personality of personal assistants is an exciting prospect that holds the potential to enhance the user experience and create a more personalized interaction. With advancements in AI, it becomes increasingly feasible to tailor the personality traits, characteristics, and communication style of these intelligent assistants to align with individual preferences. Users could have the option to choose from a range of predefined personalities or even have the freedom to create their own unique persona. Whether someone prefers a witty and humorous assistant, a calm and empathetic listener, or a professional and authoritative demeanor, the ability to customize the personality of personal assistants would enable a deeper sense of connection and engagement. This customization could extend beyond voice and language, incorporating visual elements, personal interests, and even cultural nuances, further enriching the interaction and fostering a stronger bond between humans and their AI companions.
Persistent across devices and ecosystems
Personal assistants are likely to become more persistent across various ecosystems, bridging the gap between different devices, platforms, and services. Instead of being limited to a specific brand or operating system, personal assistants could evolve to seamlessly integrate and operate across multiple ecosystems. This means that users will have the flexibility to access their preferred assistant regardless of the device they are using, whether it’s a smartphone, smart speaker, or even a car. By breaking down the barriers between ecosystems, personal assistants can provide a consistent and unified experience, allowing users to effortlessly transition between different environments without sacrificing functionality or familiarity. This persistence across ecosystems would empower individuals to interact with their personal assistant seamlessly, regardless of the technology they interact with, ultimately enhancing convenience and enabling a more connected digital lifestyle.
Personal Data Integration
As personal assistants continue to evolve, they are expected to connect to and leverage a wide range of personal data to enhance their functionality and provide more personalized experiences. By accessing data such as purchasing history, browsing history, health records, and other relevant information, personal assistants can offer tailored recommendations, reminders, and insights that align with individual preferences and needs. For instance, they could suggest personalized shopping recommendations based on past purchases, provide insights on health trends based on tracked data, or offer timely reminders based on browsing habits. While the integration of personal data raises privacy considerations, advancements in data security and user consent mechanisms aim to strike a balance between personalization and safeguarding sensitive information. By connecting to personal data, personal assistants can become powerful tools that leverage a wealth of information to better understand and cater to the unique needs and preferences of their users.
Personal Assistants as Initiators
The future of personal assistants holds the promise of initiating conversations rather than solely responding to user prompts. As AI technology progresses, personal assistants are being developed with the capability to proactively engage users in meaningful and dynamic interactions. By leveraging natural language processing and context understanding, these advanced assistants can initiate conversations, ask relevant questions, and provide valuable information or suggestions without explicit user input. This proactive conversational ability allows personal assistants to anticipate user needs, offer timely assistance, and even engage in small talk or casual exchanges. By simulating human-like conversational skills, personal assistants can foster a more natural and engaging user experience, bridging the gap between human and machine interaction and further blurring the boundaries between AI and human communication.
In conclusion, the future of AI companions and personal assistants is poised to revolutionize the way we interact with technology and redefine the boundaries of human-machine relationships. Average General Companionship (AGC) envisions a future where AI companions not only provide practical utility but also offer emotional support, companionship, and genuine human-like interactions. As AI continues to advance, the customization of personal assistant personalities, their persistence across ecosystems, and their integration with personal data are key aspects that will shape their development. With the ability to initiate conversations, understand context, and develop familiarity surpassing human limitations, personal assistants hold the potential to become trusted companions and confidants. However, as we embrace these advancements, it is crucial to navigate the ethical considerations surrounding privacy, consent, and the responsible use of personal data. The journey towards AGC represents a transformational shift in our relationship with technology, opening doors to new possibilities that can enhance our well-being, foster connections, and enrich our daily lives. As we venture into this future, let us embrace the potential of AI companions while ensuring they align with our values, aspirations, and the shared goal of creating a harmonious coexistence between humans and intelligent machines.
About The Author
Dominic O Norton is an experienced, impact-driven social entrepreneur and the founder of Missing Black People, a comprehensive tech-enabled platform that brings awareness to missing black people cases worldwide, which has been featured in BBC, ITV, The Independent, Vice UK, and RT. With a professional background in technical product management and a postgraduate diploma in Business Administration & Management from the University of London, Dominic utilises his experience to build impact-driven initiative and to help over 11,000 entrepreneurs on TikTok do the same using “No Code”. As a fellow of On Deck and creator-in-residence for #100DaysofNoCode, Dominic is highly experienced in software development which has led him to becoming a guest lecturer in University of California, All Nations University, APTech Computer Education in Uganda and more.
This article was assisted by artificial intelligence