Can ChatGPT Substitute Human Companionship for Coping with Loss and Trauma?

Manuel B. Garcia
a,b
a Educational Innovation and Technology Hub, FEU Institute of Technology, Manila, Philippines
b College of Education, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Abstract: As the educational technology director of our institution, I often find myself at the forefront of discussions surrounding the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on our lives. Recently, a former student approached me with a thought-provoking question: "In times of grief and loss, can ChatGPT offer the comfort and consolation we seek?" The weight of this inquiry bore down on me, for I realized that answering it was not a task I could take lightly. I hesitated, acutely aware that I was not a health professional equipped with the expertise to navigate the depths of grief and loss. Moreover, my role as an educational technology director means that I have had the opportunity to witness the transformative potential of AI, leading me to wonder whether I possess a natural inclination to embrace technology as a solution. Therefore, I felt compelled to engage health professionals, the true authorities on matters of emotional well-being and mental health, to join me in an open and honest exploration of this complex question.