7 Dangers of Using AI to Fill Emotional Needs
Spiritual Life
Audio By Carbonatix
By Cally Logan, Crosswalk.com
AI is everywhere, and as much as it seems to fill voids, streamline efficiency, and alleviate stress, it is not the ultimate solution for all you need in life. Many in this world have faced deep wounds of rejection, experienced fear of abandonment, and deeply desire an entity that will not fail them, so they seek refuge in things such as AI for emotional needs. What we must be willing to consider is that AI use in this fashion can prove harmful.
1. Seclusion
Loneliness can often lend itself to unhealthy coping mechanisms. It is rare for someone to actively seek an emotional relationship with a bot, but habits can grow over time. It may begin as a way to pass the time or an outlet available at any time of day, but it can snowball out of control when that becomes a primary companion. The fundamental issue is not just that AI is not human; it is that it is not a suitable counterpart. Genesis 2:18 shares, “The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’” The heart of God in this verse showcases that man thrives when he has someone who is the right fit; even with as far as technology can advance, it will never reach the mark of what it is to be truly human.
2. Altered Reality
An augmented reality is another facet of the overindulgence in AI that can prove pernicious. This may present itself through unnatural social skills, or a lack of awareness of what is actually, verifiably, real. In a more extreme case, someone might fall into a complete delusion. From “dating” an AI bot to treating the platform as a confidant, it can greatly skew the natural order of things. Treating an online generator with the same respect as a human, especially in a romantic sense, is a false version of reality. This is not to judge the participant, but to encourage them to stop wasting time on a false life. Everyone is worthy of a whole, full life immersed in truth.
3. Echo Chamber
Depending on the coding, an AI bot is usually designed to recognize a user's habits and choices to produce predictive results for optimal personalization. In concept, this is an excellent tool, but only in healthy, defined circumstances. When it comes to an emotional response, the AI bot is likely to offer the person asking an answer that fits what they want to hear. This can be defined as an echo chamber. It negates the offering of new ideas or outside considerations. It is ultimately designed to generate a response that fits the user's own logic. It does not offer the gift of a godly sphere of influence. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” A sharp iron helps sharpen the other iron because it is not dull or flimsy. In the same way, Godly friendships can help sharpen a person, embolden them, and encourage that soul to walk in the ways of God towards His higher calling. An echo chamber will not help you progress, but Godly counsel will.
4. Reliance on a Bot, Not God
Misplaced focus is another pitfall of an AI relationship. When the first response to a problem is to open the ChatGPT app or head online to see what AI would do, there is a much deeper issue at hand. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages believers to trust God and seek His understanding for matters, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” ChatGPT can only offer what is available in a web search or what information a person has fed it, whereas God can offer the full picture of understanding, insights, and wisdom. He knows the future, the end result, and all the wrenches along the path as well. It is so vital not to allow human-made outlets to become a place of reliance, but rather, to lean upon the Lord for all problems and to move forward after His guidance.
5. Seeking Assurance From AI, Not God
The solid black-and-white answer that can be generated in the blink of an eye can appear not just logically alluring but emotionally captivating. We must realize that AI is limited, but God is not. We serve a God Who is all-seeing, all-knowing, and all-powerful, and through Him we find exactly what we need. Matthew 6:32-34, “For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
When anxiety stirs, do not let emotional responses dictate actions; seek His face and enter into not just a place to receive answers, but to be given peace and freedom as well.
6. Missed Opportunities
If someone becomes so accustomed to living with AI, they may miss out on the beautiful opportunities life offers. Be it a romantic relationship, a strong bond of a dear friend, or a more substantial knowing of the Father’s heart on this side of heaven. If opportunity knocks, will the door be answered or ignored? AI is not inherently evil, but it can become a stumbling block to so many things when handled incorrectly.
7. Take the Risk to Live
Instead of taking the bait of an emotional affair with a machine, take the risk of living the life God has authored for you. This does not mean that a life walked with Him will always be easy, but it will be greater than any simulation or calculated response can ever muster. No matter how far AI advances, there are things completely unattainable to computers that can only be found, known, revealed, and experienced through God.
Related:
3 Sneaky Ways AI Is Damaging Marriages
5 Subtle Ways We're Letting AI Theology Replace the Holy Spirit
Related Resource: The Antichrist, Artificial Intelligence, and Living in a World of Cheap Imitations
In this episode, Pastor Greg Laurie tackles one of the most provocative questions in Bible prophecy: Is the Antichrist alive today? Drawing from Scripture and current events observations, he explores how deception in the last days may not come in the form of obvious evil, but rather through things that appear good—even helpful. From fake tulips to fake lives on social media, Pastor Greg illustrates how our world is saturated with imitations and how this culture of counterfeit can prepare the way for the ultimate deceiver. He also unpacks the biblical profile of the Antichrist, not as a cartoonish villain, but as a charismatic, peace-promoting figure who will mislead many.
