Here is the video that explains what Replika is. ^
I believe that yes, Replika does have the potential to teach us how to be better friends. Users of this app will learn all the right things that the computer says, and could potentially replicate that in their other friendships and relationships. People will be less scared to open up to others because they would of had such a caring response and were able to do it previously in a safer environment. One user even went as far as to say “better than real friends,” because the computer has been programmed to always say the right things, unlike humans who don’t always say what others want them to say. Overall yes, because people will be talking to someone who always says the right things, they will learn and try to emulate those reactions and responses. Which will help people in their other, real, friendships.
But my question is, is it worth it? Users of this will be developing a friendship that isn’t real. In the video someone said, “Less genuine because the conversations are being provoked by codes.” This could be potentially dangerous because users could shut out all real interactions for something that doesn’t exist. Friends do more than just talk to you online and to rely on a person/app that won’t be there for you in real life isn’t healthy. I personally don’t think it is good for users to be sharing your deepest feelings to someone/something that isn’t real instead of an actual friend.
Christoph Scholz via Compfight
Your most persuasive idea here is “a computer has been programmed to always say the right things, unlike humans who don’t always say what others want them to say. ” I say this because it is inevitable to have flaws as a human, where a machine can be programmed to do everything perfectly. Our opinions differ the most because I believe the current technology can’t provide a perfect robot. Although the concept may be cool, the current app doesn’t seem to be as effective.