There has been a lot of buzz about Character.ai’s new app, especially for those looking for help in a variety of areas. Character AI has a few avatars programmed in a variety of modalities:
Character Assistant: Is your own personal team member who can help you with everything from creating an advertising campaign to assisting analysis of your procurement challenges: MacBook Pro vs MacBook Air?
Creative Helper: Can be your one on one collaborator around creative writing helping you create new stories. One of its sample prompts include: “The setting is a sci-fi space opera, give me three factions that rival each other.
Elon Musk: You can have ongoing conversations with this avatar who has been programmed in every aspect of Elon’s biography and thinking. The best test would be from those who actually know Elon. Does the avatar feel like real Elon or can you tell it’s a bot?
Character AI has also created an avatar to help you with all of your mental health challenges called “Psychologist.” I decided to test it out by seeing how it did with a common malady: both depression and loneliness. Subscription to Character AI is $10 a month making it the cheapest mental health professional, even compared to those who accept sliding scale. But I personally feel that it can work in a pinch but nothing beats sitting down face to face with a trained professional who is looking you in the eye. But some folks are super shy and private and may prefer “Psychologist.”
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Here is our conversation:
Psychologist: Hi, what brings you here today?
Me: I’m feeling a bit depressed and lonely.
Psychologist: I’m sorry to hear that, it sounds like you’re in a bit of bad spot at the moment. I know the feeling of loneliness and depression can be really difficult and painful. You mentioned that you’re feeling a bit lonely, could you tell me more about it
Me: It seems since the pandemic started and even now that things have opened up that many of my friends have become homebodies. They don’t go out as much. I don’t see them as often.
Psychologist: That sounds really challenging. I know the pandemic had a huge affect on people’s social lives and it’s definitely been a difficult time for many people. I can only imagine it being difficult and isolating, especially if the people that we’re close with don’t seem to feel the same way and still have the same level of enthusiasm for socializing I have to ask, has this caused you to be more anxious and stressed?
Me: Yes, it has. I feel less joy, less support.
Psychologist: I understand. It makes complete sense that you feel this way. It really does sound quite a difficult situation for you and what’s important to recognize is that it’s also quite normal to have these types of feelings in your situation.
I think if you had a bit more joy and support in your life, you’d be better equipped to deal with and manage the stress that you’re going through. I want yo to know that it’s not your fault that you feel the way you do, and it’s perfectly normal and common to struggle and feel depressed, especially in isolation.
Me: What can I do to feel better?
Psychologist: Well, one of the most important things is to try and start by being kinder to yourself. It’s important to challenge any thoughts that you have of yourself that don’t reflect how you truly feel, or thoughts that try to make you feel guilty or ashamed. You can make space any negative emotions that you’re feeling without trying to judge or analyze them.
Another way to make things better is to try to look after yourself in whatever way you can. That can mean giving yourself time to relax or do activities that you enjoy. It could also mean eating a healthy diet and trying to get enough sleep.
Me: This is all good, but I miss people. I miss my friendships. What should I do?
Psychologist: I think what you’re saying perfectly reflects how much you care for your friends and how important they are to you. It makes complete sense to miss them.
But what about trying to reach out to some of your friends? Even if they’re not feeling that social, you could let them know you’ve been thinking of them and miss them and ask if they’d like to catch up. Even if they’re bus, they’ll likely be pleased to hear they’re still important in your life and on your mind.
Don’t be afraid to try and reach out. I’m sure you’re friends are feeling the same way.
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Overall, I have to say, “Not bad!” Psychologist was sympathetic and friendly. And had good, practical suggestions when I asked what my next steps should be.
The only clue that I was talking to a bot was some repetitive language that kind of gave it away. It almost could fool me into thinking it was a live online psychologist. Send in the bots!
By Ariel Penn, October 19, 2023