In his recently published framework, Professor Benjamin Becker from the Department of Psychology at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) explains that the human brains are naturally wired for social interaction through evolutionary and experience shaped behaviours and brain systems that help individuals to understand others, build trust, and form social bonds.

Because of this, people tend to treat AI chatbots and avatars like social beings (agents), attributing them with personality, feelings, and intentions a tendency called anthropomorphism.As AI becomes more advanced and personalised, these interactions will increasingly engage neural mechanisms more deeply and may even change how the brains function in social contexts.

The implications are especially significant for young people, whose social skills and identities are still developing while growing up with AI. Professor Becker’s work calls on researchers, developers, and society to anticipate and guide this transformation, ensuring AI benefits us ethically and safely. Understanding how our social brain shapes interactions with AI and how AI interactions shape our social brains will be key to making sure these technologies support us not harm us, Professor Becker said.

Source: https://www.hku.hk/press/press-releases/detail/28428.html#:~:text=Altering%20Human%20Sociality%3A%20Prolonged%20AI,our%20views%20without%20our%20awareness