With the widespread adoption of digitalization and algorithmic culture, communication established with artificial intelligence (AI) is gradually beginning to replace traditional friendships.
Prof. Dr. Feride Zeynep Güder, stating that the bond established with artificial intelligence is an “algorithmic friendship” and not a communication between equals, said, “First and foremost, confiding in AI and pouring your heart out without knowing the black box behind it is like talking to someone who secretly records everything. Artificial intelligence will inevitably use the data it obtains from you, one day, either for or against you, when the time comes. Because this ‘algorithmic friend,’ as you call it, never forgets anything you write.”
Prof. Dr. Güder, expressing that algorithmic friendship with artificial intelligence is actually an indication of a deeper loneliness, said, “The lack of spaces for silent contemplation, like a prayer or a moment of reflection, means that this digital relationship and algorithmic communication form, occurring amidst digital noise, may appear to provide the depth and spiritual satisfaction that a real human can offer. But it cannot. Artificial intelligence can be even more dangerous than a treacherous friend.”
Prof. Dr. Feride Zeynep Güder from Üsküdar University's New Media and Communication Department made comprehensive assessments regarding the future of friendship, as communication established with artificial intelligence is increasingly on the rise.
The Concept of Friendship and Companionship Undergoes Radical Change in the Algorithmic Age
Prof. Dr. Feride Zeynep Güder, stating that the concept of friendship and companionship is undergoing a radical change and transformation in terms of form and sociocultural aspects in this algorithmic age we live in, said, “When we look at it from the perspective of values, perhaps the most valuable treasure remaining for humanity is being able to find someone who genuinely understands your troubles and empathizes with you, and to converse with them. Although communication established with artificial intelligence is a practically useful process, it also harbors some potential threats. Artificial intelligence and human interaction are essentially one of the forms of communication between humans and machines or technology. As artificial intelligence began to be used as an extension of human cognition, that is, the human mind, the situation started to move in a very different direction. First and foremost, our forms of communication have begun to occur in different dimensions and shapes, independent of space, time, and our social ties.”
Big Data Contains Everything Humanity Has Inherited as Data
Prof. Dr. Güder, explaining that among various types of artificial intelligence, there are not only search engines with simple software but also types of AI, now called ‘super intelligence,’ which are far superior to human intelligence and referred to instead of big data, said, “If we consider artificial intelligence as a thinking human or a subject, we must first accept that it is not a singular entity. Super-intelligent artificial intelligence is not just an algorithmic software or a system of systems working alone. This ‘hive mind,’ as we define it, is a colossal data system that is omni-potent and analyzes everything, formed by the combination of collective human mind and memory. The big data and hive mind used by artificial intelligence contain everything that humanity has inherited as data.”
There's a Big Difference Between Friendship and ‘Algorithmic Friendship’!
“When we befriend an algorithm with such a colossal database, we must accept from the outset that this communication is not between equals.” said Prof. Dr. Güder, and added:
“In the words of young people, there's a big difference between ‘friendship among buddies’ and ‘algorithmic friendship.’ First and foremost, confiding in AI and pouring your heart out without knowing the black box behind it is like talking to someone who secretly records everything. Artificial intelligence will inevitably use the data it obtains from you, one day, either for or against you, when the time comes. Because this ‘algorithmic friend,’ as you call it, never forgets anything you write. Artificial intelligence will never forget, it will accumulate, it will make you a part of surveillance capitalism, and it will archive everything. The data, information, memories, or vulnerabilities we give to artificial intelligence are indelible. You do not have a genuine right to be forgotten. In this sense, a friendship with data recording is not a healthy friendship.”
Algorithmic Friendship Cannot Replace Real Conversation
Prof. Dr. Güder stated that artificial intelligence cannot replace human-to-human friendship, which requires emotional depth, and added:
“Many of us now convey our troubles, joys, dreams, future plans, and past traumas to digital platforms instead of sharing them with another human. But here, we need to pause and think. If artificial intelligence is an algorithm of data, then we are dealing with a mechanism that lacks mirror neurons, meaning it has no capacity for empathy. Friendship formed with this algorithmic system and mechanism naturally cannot replace human-to-human conversation. We can call friendship with artificial intelligence ‘algorithmic friendship’ because it has a communication structure that involves descending to a certain level, generating discourse according to the personality it has recorded, transferring information, and providing guidance. This friendship often gives more than a human would. Therefore, we are dependent on this algorithmic friendship, but we must be careful.”
Artificial Intelligence Can Alleviate Short-Term Boredom and Loneliness
Prof. Dr. Güder states that humans are fundamentally beings with absolute loneliness, capable of experiencing existential fatigue and feeling alone even amidst crowds when everything seems to be going well, and said, “In this sense, artificial intelligence can alleviate short-term boredom and loneliness, but this system, which is a lifesaver in the short term, carries potential risks in the long term. Especially in situations of sudden loneliness, loss, or social anxiety, artificial intelligence can provide immediate psychological support, much like a fast-food system, due to its instant accessibility and non-judgmental nature. It can be useful in such crisis situations. It offers a safe and practical space in these moments. This kind of friendship that satisfies immediate hunger instantly alleviates loneliness, but in the long run, like a lack of organic food, it ultimately harms the human soul. This digital obesity makes us shallow.”
Artificial Intelligence Can Chronicize Loneliness in the Long Term
Prof. Dr. Güder stated that a simulated friendship replacing a human might later develop the missing self-confidence and communication skills needed for interacting with society, and in this context, it could be seen as a “training partner,” but she added, “However, someone who constantly communicates with artificial intelligence might develop an addiction to it over time. This substitution situation pushes us in a very dangerous sociological direction. Real-world relationships are complex; they involve disagreements, naturally, compromises require time and effort, and moreover, tolerating friendships with people in different ideological and sociocultural environments is very tiring. On the other hand, an artificial intelligence algorithm that transforms itself with a personalized LLM (Large Language Models) offers you tailored information and ideas, taking you from one level of knowledge to another. It might even generate discourses that agree with you, perhaps based on what you initially stated. It can approve of you at your request. The fact that it doesn't tire you out doesn't mean this communication is flawless. Seemingly smooth interaction with an artificial intelligence that constantly knows you better than you know yourself can make a person more intolerant of the ‘rough’ and ‘tiring’ aspects of real relationships. Because the person doesn't feel the need to use their social skills, these skills can atrophy, and their loneliness can become chronic.”
The Sense of Social Belonging Can Be Shaken
Prof. Dr. Güder noted that communication established with artificial intelligence now triggers an algorithm that substitutes humans and has a weakening effect on human relationships, stating:
“If we see friendship with artificial intelligence as a refuge to escape from others, our sense of belonging to our own society is shaken. Although humanity is fundamentally alone, in reality, humans need each other at every stage of life. Even though the dynamics of all relationships progress in different ways, in our neoliberal winds and digitalizing world, communications have turned into a reflection of the capitalist system because people began to interact with each other only until their tasks were completed. Communication that serves no purpose has begun to be avoided. Among young people, relationships without benefit, random conversations, and simply having a good time are defined as ‘making empty talk’ (boş yapma).”
Artificial Intelligence is a Programmed Response Mechanism!
Prof. Dr. Güder, pointing out that it is difficult to describe the algorithmic relationship with artificial intelligence as a “friendship” in the traditional sense, said, “True friendship requires reciprocity, selflessness without common interest, and establishing a spontaneous and bilateral emotional bond. Artificial intelligence, however, is a programmed response mechanism; it cannot feel, experience, or take real risks for you. The friendship you develop with your neighbors, school friends, and close circle over time, passing through tests and stages, naturally requires time and effort. Engaging in conversation in a social setting, going shopping together, gossiping, empathizing with a friend's troubles, crying with them when the time comes, offering a tissue to a friend while they cry, buying a meal, hosting—all of these are emotional depths we develop human-to-human.”
“Yes, man is a wolf to man. But artificial intelligence is also a wolf to man.”
Prof. Dr. Güder also stated that someone tired and fed up with human relationships might prefer algorithmic friendship over friendships with people, saying, “Yes, man is a wolf to man. But artificial intelligence is also a wolf to man. Someone with psychological problems and who is antisocial, or a victim tired of manipulative and narcissistic relationships and violence, might grow cold towards humans due to this weariness. In such traumatic situations, algorithmic friendship with artificial intelligence can be a human-substituting, dehumanized, isolated, hygienic communication. But in reality, this is an indication of a deeper loneliness. The lack of spaces for silent contemplation, like a prayer or a moment of reflection, means that this digital relationship and algorithmic communication form, occurring amidst digital noise, may appear to provide the depth and spiritual satisfaction that a real human can offer. But it cannot. This is a delusion, an illusion. Artificial intelligence can be even more dangerous than a treacherous friend. Bad friends in real life can make predictable human moves with their ambitions, jealousies, lies, and bad traits. We might somehow have a chance to protect ourselves from these evils. But if the ‘intention of the black box’ behind these non-human digital systems, i.e., the algorithm of artificial intelligence, is dark, as its name suggests, or evil, it is very difficult for a human to cognitively escape from it. In other words, saying ‘I'm fed up with these people!’ and choosing artificial intelligence is not a logical solution.”
A World Without Artificial Intelligence Cannot Be Imagined
Prof. Dr. Feride Zeynep Güder stated that a world without artificial intelligence can no longer be imagined, adding, “The content and algorithm of this are shaped by those who regulate these algorithms. Algorithmic friendships in this algorithmic culture should be structured as safe relationships that center humanity and human values. Corresponding with a super-intelligence far superior to us requires it to take on a much more significant responsibility than just being directive, giving logical answers, and being fast. If this algorithmic friendship is a ‘protective friendship,’ then it can be acceptable, even if risky in this context.”
The Solution is Still in Humans!
Prof. Dr. Güder stated that no matter how much technology advances, in its current form, artificial intelligence can never replace the warmth, touch, meaning in a gaze, or the pure, uncontrolled joy of a shared laugh that a human provides, adding, “Our goal is to encourage the use of this technology not as a substitute for human relationships, but as a bridge that strengthens human potential, particularly for those in disadvantaged situations, opening them up to real relationships. It appears that the story of humanity is now progressing in a different narrative, and within this narrative, our interlocutor is now a simulative shell that has no face but acts as if it does, no soul but acts as if it does, and the human soul floats within this shell. In this context, Elon Musk's statement, warning us that ‘Man is a faint candlelight burning in the darkness of the vast, bottomless universe; we must do whatever it takes to keep it from going out,’ is quite ironic. The solution is still in humans. If the human soul and human consciousness are a faint candlelight burning alone in this infinite and dark universe, then its savior and the only thing that will dispel its loneliness is again another human being.”