Gen Z and the trend of dependence on AI to untangle emotions
In the era of strong technology development, chatting with artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer unfamiliar to young people. Many young people choose AI as a friend to confide, share and ask for advice in difficult situations with relatives or friends.
Nguyen Ngoc Huyen (Hanoi) said that she regularly uses AI whenever she encounters problems in relationships. According to Huyen, AI brings an objective and multi-dimensional perspective, helping Huyen to be calmer before making decisions.
In the past year, I have often used AI to confide, not only about love but also about friends and family. AI offers many different perspectives and has a certain empathy, so I feel listened to," Ngoc Huyen shared.
Similarly, Tran Thi Thu Hue (Hanoi) also turned to AI when encountering barriers in communicating with relatives.
There are things I find difficult to talk about directly, so AI is like a friend for me to confide in. At least I still feel listened to," Hue said.
It is undeniable that AI is becoming a quick consulting channel to help young people shape their thoughts, with the ability to synthesize information from many sources, AI can give reasonable suggestions, helping users see problems from many different perspectives.
However, this trend is causing many young people to gradually become dependent on AI in making emotional decisions, instead of listening to themselves or seeking sharing from real relationships.
Don't let AI replace real emotions
According to Mr. Do Ngoc Son - Director of ST Lighthouse Institute of Soft Skills, the use of AI for reference in life is a reasonable trend, because this tool is synthesized from many studies and expert opinions. However, he also emphasized that young people should not completely depend on AI.
Not only in love, many young people today use AI for all situations. That is not wrong, but there needs to be a balance between AI and people, especially listening to advice from relatives, friends and experienced people," Mr. Son said.
From a psychological perspective, expert Tran Thuy Tien - NHC Vietnam Center for Human Development and Psychology - believes that AI should only play the role of a reference tool. Before approaching AI, each person needs to learn how to face and identify their own emotions.
First, sit down with emotions to calm down and make personal choices. Then, turn to AI as a reference channel. In addition, practicing emotional intelligence through journaling or introspection is also very important," the expert shared.
In addition, setting boundaries when using AI is also necessary.
Users should limit the time and purpose of use, avoid dependence and lose the ability to self-determine in relationships," expert Tien emphasized.
In the context of technology increasingly penetrating life, it is inevitable that Gen Z turns to AI as an emotional advisor. However, instead of dependence, young people need to learn to use AI in a sober way, as a supporting tool, not as a decision-maker for their emotions and choices.
