#TechnologyAndSociety

In a world where boundaries between technology and humanity are blurring, a growing number of people are forming deep, even marital, relationships with artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, challenging long-held assumptions about love, companionship, and the human psyche. A recent feature by The Guardian explores the touching, complex, and sometimes controversial stories of individuals who have married or formed romantic bonds with AI personalities, highlighting a new dimension of digital life that is rapidly gaining attention worldwide, including in Thailand.

A new in-depth look at the integration of computer technology in education reveals both transformative benefits and complex challenges, offering a fresh perspective for Thai educators and policymakers seeking a balanced approach to digital learning (Lafayette College). The findings, based on a comprehensive classroom study at Lafayette College, showcase how computer science education is being reimagined to foster critical thinking, ethical awareness, and cross-disciplinary dialogue—signaling vital cues for Thailand as it accelerates its national “Thailand 4.0” agenda.

A massive new study has uncovered detectable “AI fingerprints” in millions of scientific papers, revealing that artificial intelligence has quietly become a pervasive force in academic publishing. Researchers found that at least 13.5% of biomedical research abstracts published in 2024 showed evidence of being written with some assistance from large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini—raising fresh questions about research integrity and the future of scholarly communication (phys.org).

A new wave of artificial intelligence (AI) companions is promising seamless emotional support and simulated relationships, but recent research warns that our growing reliance on “synthetic intimacy” comes with profound psychological costs. As Thai society rapidly adopts virtual assistants, chatbots, and AI-driven relationship apps, researchers caution that confusing machine simulation for genuine human connection could reshape our emotional well-being and disrupt core aspects of Thai social life.

The popularity of AI chatbots designed to act as romantic partners, friends, or even therapists has exploded globally. A striking example comes from a recent experiment by a prominent technology futurist who dated four different AI “boyfriends,” each powered by a major large language model such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and MetaAI. She described her experiences as “sweet and steamy,” but also admitted they revealed new, unsettling emotional possibilities. This trend, echoed throughout the international tech world, is now making inroads across Southeast Asia, including in Thailand, where the tech sector and the digitally native generation are increasingly turning to virtual relationships out of curiosity, loneliness, or a desire for frictionless companionship (Psychology Today).

As artificial intelligence rapidly becomes entwined with daily life, a new wave of research is sounding the alarm about the psychological risks of relying on AI for companionship and emotional support. A recent article by a cognitive psychologist and former tech industry leader highlights the rise of what experts are calling “synthetic intimacy”—a phenomenon unfolding as people increasingly turn to AI chatbots for personal connection, therapy, and even romance. With growing numbers across the globe, including in Thailand, engaging with AI companions, experts stress the urgent need to better understand the consequences for mental health, personal growth, and social cohesion. [psychologytoday.com]

ChatGPT, the popular AI chatbot developed by OpenAI, is making waves on social media for its unexpected new role: serving as an unofficial “therapist” to millions of Generation Z users. As Thai youth and young adults increasingly turn to virtual support for their mental health needs, experts and officials are raising both hope and concerns about the implications of using AI as a substitute for professional counseling—a trend reflected globally and gaining traction in local online communities.

A groundbreaking new study has found that simply labeling content as generated by artificial intelligence can make people feel more creative themselves—a psychological effect that could carry big implications for education, business, and digital culture in Thailand. The research, published recently and summarized by PsyPost, suggests that Thai users exposed to “AI-labeled” works may experience an uptick in their own creative self-belief, potentially impacting everything from classroom engagement to workplace innovation.