This chapter explores the evolving landscape of friendship amid the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), drawing upon Jonathan Haidt’s research on human wellbeing and happiness. As AI technologies become increasingly embedded in social platforms and personal devices, they are reshaping how individuals form and maintain friendships. The main goal of my chapter is to examine the impact of AI-driven algorithms, social media, and virtual companions on the quality and authenticity of human relationships. I do this by applying Haidt’s theories on the social foundations of happiness, supplemented by the philosophical standard of “agential flourishing.” I analyze Haidt’s emphasis on the importance of close bonds, community engagement, and shared moral values and critically reflect on whether AI facilitates genuine connections or instead contributes to social isolation and diminished wellbeing. The chapter raises several ethical concerns, including concerns about empathy, trust, and the potential for AI to both enhance and undermine the fabric of human companionship. Finally, I offer some preliminary insights into how AI can be ethically integrated to support meaningful friendships, ultimately contributing to greater human happiness and societal wellbeing.

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Friendship in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Insights from Jonathan Haidt’s Research on Wellbeing

  • Michal Valčo

摘要

This chapter explores the evolving landscape of friendship amid the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), drawing upon Jonathan Haidt’s research on human wellbeing and happiness. As AI technologies become increasingly embedded in social platforms and personal devices, they are reshaping how individuals form and maintain friendships. The main goal of my chapter is to examine the impact of AI-driven algorithms, social media, and virtual companions on the quality and authenticity of human relationships. I do this by applying Haidt’s theories on the social foundations of happiness, supplemented by the philosophical standard of “agential flourishing.” I analyze Haidt’s emphasis on the importance of close bonds, community engagement, and shared moral values and critically reflect on whether AI facilitates genuine connections or instead contributes to social isolation and diminished wellbeing. The chapter raises several ethical concerns, including concerns about empathy, trust, and the potential for AI to both enhance and undermine the fabric of human companionship. Finally, I offer some preliminary insights into how AI can be ethically integrated to support meaningful friendships, ultimately contributing to greater human happiness and societal wellbeing.