OpenAI seems to be announcing new AI models by the week to improve its ChatGPT chatbot for the betterment of its 400 million users. However, the ease the AI tool provides seems to prove that it’s possible to have too much of a good thing.
The artificial intelligence company is now delving into the potential psychological ramifications that ChatGPT might have on its users. OpenAI has published the results of a two-part study completed alongside MIT Media Lab, which uncovered a connection between increased usage of the ChatGPT chatbot and users’ increased feelings of loneliness.
Each organization conducted an independent study and then compiled the results to a consolidated conclusion. OpenAI’s study examined over one month “over 40 million ChatGPT interactions,” which didn’t include human involvement to maintain user privacy. Meanwhile, MIT observed approximately 1,000 participants using ChatGPT over 28 days. Currently, the studies have not yet been peer-reviewed.
MIT’s study delved into different use functions that could affect users’ emotional experience interacting with ChatGPT, including using text or voice. Results found that either medium had the potential to elicit loneliness or to affect users’ socialization during the time of the study. Voice inflection and topic choice were also a major point of comparison.
A neutral tone used in ChatGPT’s voice mode was less likely to lead to a negative emotional outcome for participants. Meanwhile, the study observed a correlation between participants having personal conversations with ChatGPT and the increased likelihood of loneliness; however, these effects were short-term. Those using text chat even to converse about general topics experienced increased instances of emotional dependence on the chatbot.
The study also observed that those who reported viewing ChatGPT as a friend, and those who already had a propensity toward strong emotional attachment in relationships, were more likely to feel lonelier and more emotionally dependent on the chatbot while participating in the study.
OpenAI’s study added additional context, with its results noting overall that interacting with ChatGPT for emotional purposes was rare. Additionally, the study found that even among heavy users who implemented the Advanced Voice Mode feature on the chatbot and were more likely to answer that they considered ChatGPT to be a friend, this group of participants experienced low emotional reactions to interacting with the chatbot.
OpenAI concluded that its intent with these studies is to understand the challenges that might arise due to its technology, as well as to be able to set expectations and examples for how its models should be used.
While OpenAI suggests that its interaction-based study simulates the behaviors of real people, more than a few real humans have admitted on public forums, such as Reddit, to using ChatGPT in place of going to a therapist with their emotions.
The absolutely absurd idea of putting a touchscreen display on a mouse isn't exactly new. Turtle Beach already did it with its Command Series MC7, which features a 2.25-inch control screen. But apparently, even that wasn't ridiculous enough for Arctic Fox Technologies. Its new Super Mouse looks like someone took the chunky old Atari ST mouse, slapped a touchscreen and scroll wheel on it, and called it an upgrade.
The result is a rather unusual-looking mouse that is now on Kickstarter, starting at $199. And as ridiculous as it looks, some of its features are genuinely intriguing.
Apple is less than a day away from launching its highly anticipated OLED MacBook Pro with a touch-sensitive screen. But it appears that the upgrade is going to cost a pretty penny. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly eyeing a starting price of $2,899 for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, while the 16-inch version could start at $3,399 in the US.
"At $2,899, the 14-inch model would mark the highest starting price for a new MacBook Pro model, surpassing the $2,799 Apple charged for a 17-inch version introduced in 2006," says the report. The report claims that Apple is targeting a minimum price hike of $400 for its upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
I've spent a good amount of time digging into the spec sheet of the new M6 MacBook Pro (14-inch), and for all intents and purposes, this is a classic Apple "chip and connectivity" refresh. It's not a full redesign. The chassis, Liquid Retina XDR panel, speakers, ports, and battery, all of them carry over unchanged.
However, the M6 brings more cores, stronger on-device AI, higher memory bandwidth on the larger configs, and modern wireless. Here’s the practical rundown of what actually improved, and whether those gains are worth your money.