[ExI] Mark Zuckerberg wants everyone to have AI friends

[BillK]

Mark Zuckerberg wants everyone to have AI friends, but I think he's
missing the point of AI, and the point of friendship.
By Eric Hal Schwartz published 13 May 2025

<https://www.techradar.com/computing/artificial-intelligence/mark-zuckerberg-wants-everyone-to-have-ai-friends-but-i-think-hes-missing-the-point-of-ai-and-the-point-of-friendship>
Quote:
With caveats about the ways human friendships offer things no AI
currently can, Zuckerberg explained on a podcast hosted by Dwarkesh
Patel that people like to engage with AI chatbots like Meta AI about
their personal lives.

And since most Americans have far fewer friends than they'd like,
there's space for AI as an alternative. "As the personalization loop
kicks in and the AI starts to get to know you better and better, that
will just be really compelling," Zuckerberg said.
--------------------

And all the media has reacted in horror and attacked Zuckerberg for
even suggesting this.
I think this is an emotional overreaction.

First, he is not suggesting that one of the current chatbots can
replace your best friend.
He is looking ahead, as future AIs will develop into more like human
personalities. They will not just be question/answer bots. Although
people are already enjoying chatting to the current chatbots.

Zuck is not comparing a human friend with an AI friend. As he said,
therapists are expensive and unaffordable for many people. He is
comparing AI friends with no friends at all. An AI companion is better
than nothing.

One media comment made me smile.
"Real friendship is not just about someone helping you all the time,
selflessly, without ever asking for something in return".
Correct - that's what your future AI companion does!

But the argument is avoiding the main problem. Too many people feel
lonely today and have few human friends. Complaining that an AI cannot
replace human friends doesn't help to solve the loneliness problem
that many people have.

BillK