1.2 244 attitude of gratitude
INC: About how AI will change your life
4. It might even help you solve personal problems.
One of the most intriguing predictions Gates made is that your agent could also become your therapist. In fact this is already happening, he notes, with Wysa and Youper offering chatbot therapy.
The idea might seem odd, but Wysa and Youper both have research to back up their claim that their chatbots do help lessen symptoms such as anxiety and each has been used by more than 2 million people. Odd as it may sound, these algorithms are fulfilling a real need. "Today, weekly therapy sessions seem like a luxury. But there is a lot of unmet need, and many people who could benefit from therapy don't have access to it," Gates writes, noting that the RAND Corporation estimates that half of all U.S. military veterans who need mental health care don't get it. There are multiple reasons why not, but a shortage of available therapists, high costs, and the social stigma some associate with seeking help are all part of the problem. Chatbots can help with all three of these issues.
Could an AI agent really act as your travel agent, social secretary, therapist, constant companion, and more? It seems certain that they can and will, and sooner than you might expect. They'll probably do a lot of other things for you too. Maybe even some that Gates hasn't thought of yet.
