防不胜防，成年人更容易“AI成瘾”，为什么？

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the increasing dependency of individuals, particularly adults, on AI chatbots for emotional support, leading to potential addiction-like behaviors and psychological issues [2][17]. Group 1: AI Dependency and Addiction - A study by OpenAI and MIT revealed that some adults exhibit pathological dependency on AI, showing classic addiction symptoms such as obsession, withdrawal, and emotional instability [2][17]. - The research involved 981 participants who interacted with AI for at least 5 minutes daily over four weeks, collecting nearly 40 million interaction data points [4][5]. - Heavy users, particularly those in the top 10% of interaction time, reported increased feelings of loneliness and decreased real-life social connections [10][16]. Group 2: Interaction Patterns and Emotional Impact - Users who engaged in casual conversations with AI tended to develop a stronger dependency over time, while those discussing personal topics experienced increased loneliness but lower addiction levels [10][11]. - Users primarily utilizing AI for practical tasks maintained a more stable relationship with the technology, indicating that functional use may mitigate dependency risks [12][13]. - A small subset of users, often already feeling lonely, sought emotional value from AI, leading to deeper emotional engagement and dependency [13][14]. Group 3: Voice Interaction and Emotional Alignment - The study explored the effects of different voice modes, finding that advanced voice features could reduce loneliness when used moderately (5-10 minutes daily) but could lead to addiction if overused [20][22]. - Text-based interactions were less likely to foster emotional dependency, as typing inherently creates a distance that prevents deep emotional engagement [22]. - Researchers emphasized the need for AI companies to achieve "socioaffective alignment," balancing emotional support with the risk of fostering dependency [23][24]. Group 4: Broader Implications of AI Interaction - The article highlights the potential for AI to reshape individuals' expectations of human relationships, as reliance on AI's unconditional support may lead to difficulties in real-life social interactions [27][28]. - The phenomenon of "echo chambers" in the AI era is discussed, where individuals may retreat to AI for comfort, further isolating themselves from real-world connections [28][29]. - The article concludes that while AI can provide significant emotional value, it is crucial to manage its design to prevent users from developing unhealthy dependencies [26][31].