On the commercial level at least AI-personalized interaction. You'll actually be able to have a 2-way relationship with Justin Bieber, and he'll chat with you and comment on your goofy pictures, and message you late at night when he can't sleep. Or rather when the AI has estimated that him sending you a message about not being able to sleep because he's anxious because of the album release will increase the chances of you buying that album.
What will be the term? It's no longer just parasocial. Augmented Relationship?
I believe you're spot on with regards to it being easier to get positive social interactions from a robot. I don't think that's a bad thing either. Many social dynamics are close to winner takes all, and especially among teens often work by singling out someone and mercilessly attacking them to induce group cohesion. Opting out of that hell and having a nice chat with a bot instead? That'll be an improvement for the victims at the very least. The same goes for loneliness, I'd rather people talk to robots than to not communicate at all when they have a desire to interact with others but no means to.
Negative social interactions can be pretty damaging to people.
While I cannot relate to the idea of choosing to have a relationship with a robot, I can see why a lot of people would choose to opt out of the social sphere. All the abuse it hurls at them, why bother?
What will be the term? It's no longer just parasocial. Augmented Relationship?
I believe you're spot on with regards to it being easier to get positive social interactions from a robot. I don't think that's a bad thing either. Many social dynamics are close to winner takes all, and especially among teens often work by singling out someone and mercilessly attacking them to induce group cohesion. Opting out of that hell and having a nice chat with a bot instead? That'll be an improvement for the victims at the very least. The same goes for loneliness, I'd rather people talk to robots than to not communicate at all when they have a desire to interact with others but no means to.