Those who support the use of artificial intelligence as a marital counsellor believe that it offers a neutral, judgement-free space for couples to discuss their concerns and seek advice.
My friend, who has been married for over twenty years, was recently going through serious marital difficulties that made him consider divorcing his wife. However, when he attended marital therapy, he was not impressed by the advice given by the counsellors.
He then decided to explore ChatGPT for free advice. He informed ChatGPT about all the points that were bothering him about his wife's attitude towards him and asked for an opinion. In a few seconds, the application produced a detailed analysis of the wife's behaviours followed by a few suggestions on how to address them. My friend was so impressed with this outcome that he decided to appoint ChatGPT as his marital therapist.
All over the world, people of different age groups are using ChatGPT and other AI applications regularly, with some using it for marriage counselling. But can artificial intelligence truly help couples navigate the complexities of a relationship?
Those who support the use of artificial intelligence as a marital counsellor believe that it offers a neutral, judgement-free space for couples to discuss their concerns and seek advice. It's free and available 24/7, making it convenient for those who might not have access or cannot afford to pay a human therapist.
Moreover, AI can provide communication exercises, conflict resolution strategies, and even suggest ways to improve emotional intimacy that can help couples overcome their difficulties. Sometimes, couples feel uncomfortable discussing personal issues with a human, so an AI application can feel like a safe alternative.
On the other hand, those of us who are against the use of AI as a marital counsellor believe that it lacks the genuine empathy and emotional intelligence that a human therapist can provide. Human relationships are complex, and one would need to observe a person's body language, tone of voice, and cultural context to provide therapy, while an AI programme might miss all of these.
Additionally, the lack of professional credentials and the inability to handle deep-rooted issues or crises mean that AI should not replace a trained professional.
Another important fact is that marital norms, communication styles, and conflict resolution strategies vary widely across cultures, while AI programmes collect information from a vast pool of Internet-based databases that may not fully capture or respect these cultural norms. What works as advice in one cultural context might be inappropriate or ineffective in another.
When one relies on generalised data generated by AI, the advice provided is unlikely to align with a couple's specific cultural or social context. Also, having access to advice 24/7 is likely to make people dependent on AI to solve their problems instead of working on them.
In my opinion, while ChatGPT can offer supplemental support and practical tips, it is not yet equipped to provide marital therapy. The best approach likely involves a combination of human expertise and technological tools that are tailored to the specific needs of each couple, with careful consideration of cultural and social differences.
BLURB
While ChatGPT can offer supplemental support and practical tips, it is not yet equipped to provide marital therapy
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