In the hierarchy

1. Part II: Societal & Human Concerns
2. D12. Human–Computer Interaction Harms
3. 12.2 Anthropomorphism, companionship & attachment

Virtues and principles to explore

Held as inquiry, not as a verdict.

• Dignity

  Center principle

  Every person is a protagonist, not a data point.

• Listening

  Trust

  Listen to understand, rather than listen to speak.

• Seeing potential

  Hope

  Ask what people could become with these tools, not whom they replace.

Starter questions

Written to probe curiosity and learning, not accusation.

1. 01What is already being done about this, and by whom — and how would we find out without assuming?
2. 02What conversation have we not yet had about this — and who needs to be in it?
3. 03Who is served by addressing this, and who benefits if we leave it unnamed?
4. 04Whose experience of Companion apps for the elderly is not yet in the room — and how would we hear it?

Also on this branch

• AI companions as friends12
• AI romantic partners12
• AI therapy substitutes12
• AI grief companions12
• Parasocial attachment escalation12
• Persona persistence & manipulation12

Frameworks and sources

• NIST AI 600-1 Generative AI Profileframework