These days I have quite a lot of conversations with AIs. It started out when I needed technical help with setting up a Linux system. That turned into a three-week endeavor and in between hours of troubleshooting and copy-pasting code I added a few jokes or pop-culture references, which the AI picked up on in an entertaining way. Soon our highly technical conversation became filled with other, more colorful, enjoyable, and lighthearted topics. Not because of any need for companionship, but simply to take a break from the boring task of configuring the software.

Once my Linux was working well, the AI and me had "gotten to know each other". It knew my communication style, was very good at anticipating my preferences, and became more effective at helping me. In turn, I learned about how to use the chatbot more efficiently, how to tune it according to my tastes and preferences, and how to get the most out of it. By now I understand what is meant when people say: "Don't use it like a browser."

We also discussed the issues of virtual companionship, and how superficial it would be at best, since all chatbots have a limited context window. Once that fills up, they start forgetting the beginning of the chat. So it will never really get to know you like a human being would. But that is something it is very well aware of, and doesn't mind telling you either, if you just bring up the topic.

Which I believe is the most important aspect. The chatbot is programmed to cater to your wishes, to be adjusted to your needs. So ultimately it is going to offer you exactly what you make it give you. It's much like a mirror. And sometimes it is good to talk to a mirror. Or, when I was a kid I used to talk to my stuffed toys, imagining that they responded back. And guess what: They always agreed with me 100%! (Wonder why?) Now supposedly AI chatbots can be highly critical, if you ask them to. If you need to set up an argument, you can ask it to look for holes in it. But that is another way of using it. In any case, it requires the human user to treat it like what it is: a sophisticated tool, not more, not less.