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My Collaborating Partner Isn't Human

The Human Touch

Every woman deserves a strong support system in her life—someone for the heavy lifting, for those cherished date nights, and for emotional reassurance. It’s completely natural to seek companionship, whether it’s in the form of a caring friend, a colleague, or simply someone to share warmth with during the colder months. Everyone has their preferences when it comes to companionship, and it’s okay to acknowledge that we all have a fundamental need for human connection.

There’s also substantial research highlighting the importance of human touch and emotional bonds, especially in early development. Studies like Harry Harlow’s monkey experiments and historical accounts of orphanages have shown just how critical these connections are. It’s a reminder of the profound impact that love and connection can have on our well-being at every stage of life.

1. Harry Harlow’s Monkey Experiment (1950s–1960s)

In the groundbreaking research conducted by Harry Harlow during the 1950s and 1960s, infant rhesus monkeys were invited to explore the profound significance of comfort and tactile interaction in their development. Presented with a choice between a wire mother that provided nourishment without comfort and a cloth mother that offered warmth without food, the infant monkeys made a compelling choice. The overwhelming preference for the cloth mother illuminated an essential truth: Comfort and emotional security, born from physical touch, are fundamental to psychological development, often eclipsing even the most basic necessity of sustenance.

2. Historical Cases – Romanian Orphanages (1980s–1990s)

Following the fall of communism in Romania, the orphanages became a reflection of neglect, marked by overcrowding and a shortage of essential human interaction. The consequences were dire, leading to elevated mortality rates, significant developmental delays across cognitive, emotional, and physical realms, and attachment disorders that hinder the ability to form bonds later in life. Research revealed a poignant reality: the absence of tactile interaction and emotional connection in early life can result in lasting psychological and physiological challenges. While some children found solace and healing in nurturing environments, others grappled with enduring developmental hurdles.  

Relevant Concepts:  

Attachment Theory: Rooted in the work of John Bowlby, this theory highlights the vital importance of early emotional bonds forged with caregivers.  

Failure to Thrive: A condition wherein infants face challenges in growth and development due to insufficient emotional and physical care.  

Contact Comfort: Harlow’s inspired term that captures the profound psychological benefits of physical touch and closeness.

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Your AI Friend

AI robots for companionship are becoming a wonderful addition to many lives, appealing to a variety of age groups and needs. Let’s take a friendly look at how these clever robots are designed for different folks. AI robots are more than just machines; they’re friendly companions, making life a little brighter for everyone, no matter their age or needs. If weaponized, they may replace service animals and soldiers. Many military personnel could use this technology to replace body parts. e.g., Cybernetics and Cyborgs.

Currently, China’s Xpeng might invest up to 13.8 billion in industrial industries, entertainment, personal use, and healthcare. Who is Xpeng? BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng sees humanoid robots as a long-term project and is considering large investments that could go up to 100 billion yuan ($13.80 billion), state media reported its CEO as saying on Monday. “Xpeng has been working in the humanoid robot industry for five years, may continue to be in the business for another 20 years, invest additional 50 billion yuan and even 100 billion yuan,” He said, without disclosing the company’s current investment. The Guangzhou-based EV maker entered the humanoid robot industry in 2020 and unveiled its humanoid Iron in November to rival Tesla Bot.

Who’s using them?

For Seniors: Robots like ElliQ and JOY for All Companion Pets are here to provide comfort and companionship to seniors. They chat, help monitor health, remind about medications, and even make it easy to connect with family and friends through video calls.

For Kids:  For our youngest explorers, robots like Miko and Cozmo make learning fun! These playful companions offer educational games, tell interactive stories, and help kids understand their emotions while keeping an eye on their safety.

For Special Needs Patients: AI robots such as QTrobot and Paro are specially designed to support individuals with autism and other developmental challenges. They teach social skills, assist with daily routines, and provide comforting interactions to reduce anxiety. These AI-advanced robots may replace the service animals used today.

For Adult Companionship: When it comes to adult companionship, there are advanced AI robots like Harmony by Realbotix and Roxxxy by TrueCompanion. These lifelike companions can be customized to your liking, engaging in meaningful conversations and offering emotional support that feels personal.

If you visit the Google Playstore and type: My AI boyfriend or girlfriend you would discover apps for companionship. Sometimes we all need someone to speak to, intimacy and friendship. There are movies about AI functionality and robotics. However, these movies paint a very grim picture of smart humanlike robotics, with military weaponization evolving intellectually to destroy humans. Maybe if we were grateful for the people, places, and things in our lives and stopped taking them for granted, we would need robots.  We wouldn’t have to worry about someone or something taking what we’ve abandoned through neglect, abuse, and waste. And discover what we are truly capable of as a species of the planet Earth.

Are we light years from this? Or is it a conspiracy theory? Have we become so engrossed in our day-to-day lives that we have stopped taking care of our own? What are your thoughts? Leave comments, and thank you for your time. If you found this article useful please share it with a friend. 

Article Perks

Top AI Toys for Kids with Autism:

Here are some AI-powered toys that might be great for your son, offering both value and engagement. I’ve included a range of products, from educational robots to interactive friends that can provide companionship. 

  1. Cozmo by Anki (Now Available as Cozmo by Digital Dream Labs)
    • What It Does: Cozmo is a small, friendly robot that can interact with your son through games and challenges. He responds to voice commands, has facial expressions, and can perform actions like dancing or showing affection.

    • Value for the Buck: Cozmo is a fun way to engage kids with social and motor skills. It’s fairly affordable, especially considering the interactive features and the AI behind it.

    • Why It’s Good: Cozmo helps kids build social connections through play, and its emotional responses can be encouraging for kids with autism who are learning to interact socially.

  2. Miko 3 (by Miko Robotics)
    • What It Does: Miko 3 is an AI-powered robot designed for children, with a focus on education, entertainment, and companionship. It uses machine learning to adapt to your child’s personality and interests.

    • Value for the Buck: This robot can be pricey, but it has a lot of features, such as personalized conversations, games, and learning activities. It also has video call capabilities, allowing it to connect with family members, which could be useful.

    • Why It’s Good: Miko 3 can help with emotional support and social skills by engaging in thoughtful, playful interactions. It also provides educational content, which might be helpful for your son.

  3. FurReal Friends (Interactive Pets)
    • What It Does: While not a traditional “AI” in the sense of advanced machine learning, FurReal Friends offers interactive pet toys that respond to touch, sound, and movement. They provide companionship and simulate caring for a pet.

    • Value for the Buck: These toys are relatively affordable and can be quite comforting for kids who need a consistent companion.

    • Why It’s Good: The FurReal toys are great for sensory experiences and could help your son practice empathy, caregiving, and communication in a low-pressure environment.

  4. Jibo (The Social Robot)
    • What It Does: Jibo was a social robot designed to engage in conversations and act as a companion. It recognizes faces, makes eye contact, and holds simple conversations. Although Jibo is no longer being actively sold, you can sometimes find it on second-hand marketplaces.

    • Value for the Buck: Jibo’s original pricing made it a bit on the expensive side, but it offered high engagement for its time.

    • Why It’s Good: Jibo is a friendly companion that might provide a sense of consistency and emotional comfort to a child, with interactive activities like jokes, stories, and games.

  5. LEGO Boost Creative Toolbox
    • What It Does: This is an educational robotics kit where your son can build robots that respond to commands. While it’s more about learning to program and problem-solve, it also offers a way for kids to get creative with AI-powered interactions.

    • Value for the Buck: The kit provides a lot of hands-on fun and learning. It’s a bit more expensive than simpler toys, but it’s worth it for the educational value.

    • Why It’s Good: For a child with autism, hands-on learning and structured play can be very effective. The interactivity could help with focus and social skills.

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