Advances in digital technology have become both a blessing and a curse for our mental well-being. On the one hand, many people are feeling more isolated than ever, since they are spending more time working from home and interacting on social media instead of real life. On the other hand, new technology such as artificial intelligence can also be a positive thing for people struggling with loneliness.
This is especially true for entrepreneurs. Many of them feel very lonely and are using AI to address this concern. It could be a huge benefit for many people, since recent studies have shown that AI companions can reduce loneliness levels by 14-20%.
AI Could Solve the Loneliness Crisis Plaguing Entrepreneurs
The United States Surgeon General released a report in 2023 stating that the country was in the middle of a loneliness epidemic. Some people have been hit harder than others. Recent studies have shown that 60% of business owners report feeling lonely.
There are a number of reasons that loneliness hits entrepreneurs so hard. They often don’t have any direct peers that they can relate with, outside of entrepreneur meetup groups that they might attend a couple of times a year. All of the people that they work with on a regular basis are their employees or clients, who may feel awkward socializing with them at or outside of work.
Loneliness is especially difficult for entrepreneurs that run online businesses. They don’t see their employees face to face regularly if at all, which makes them feel even more isolated.
Therefore, it should not be surprising that many entrepreneurs are starting to use artificial intelligence to feel more socially connected. Some of the possible benefits are listed below.
Interacting With AI Companions to Feel More Socially Connected
One of the biggest ways that artificial intelligence can reduce loneliness is by giving people the opportunity to interact with AI companions. AI companions are virtual entities designed to behave like real people. Many people use them to emulate romantic partners, but they can also serve the same purpose as friends.
AI companions have become very popular in recent years and many people report that they have been beneficial for their mental health. They are especially popular among young men. An estimated 25% of men between the ages of 18 and 34 have used an AI girlfriend before.
Some people believe that AI companions will even replace traditional relationships in the future. The largest nonprofit organization in the United States for autistic individuals recently made this claim. Some neurotypical people feel similarly.
Entrepreneurs that feel lonely may want to consider experimenting with an AI companion. You may find that they are surprisingly helpful.
Using AI to Improve Social Skills
While some people see AI as a substitute for human connections, others intend to use it as a stopgap to meet their social needs while making new friends and romantic relationships. Many of these people would like to have human relationships but are limited due to impaired or rusty social skills.
This can be particularly challenging for many entrepreneurs. They don’t have regular social connections with their peers, especially if they are running businesses over the Internet. Even entrepreneurs that are good at networking and making sales often struggle at navigating more relaxed and informal social situations.
AI technology can be very helpful for people trying to strengthen their social skills. Many people use AI companions to roleplay various social situations, such as first dates. They can also use generative AI tools to get feedback on different social interactions, so that they can have a better understanding of the other person’s intent. One way they could do this is by copying and pasting the content of text messages from people they have recently started dating or being friends with into a generative AI tool. The tool could analyze the interactions and provide meaningful feedback.
Automate Mundane Processes to Have More Time for Socializing
One of the biggest reasons that many business owners have a hard time having an active social life is that they are so busy. The average small business owner works between 50 and 60 hours a week comma which is a lot higher than the average American that works 34.3 hours.
This understandably limits the time that they have for our social life. Fortunately, artificial intelligence can help them have more time in the day. More small business players are starting to use AI to automate many mundane tasks, so they can have more of a life outside of work.
AI Could Solve the Loneliness Crisis for Entrepreneurs
Many entrepreneurs struggle to have meaningful social lives. Fortunately, AI technology could be their salvation. They may use it to improve their mental well-being in the coming years.
