EMOTIONAL AND AFFECTIVE IMPACTS OF THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Abstract

The growing adoption of technologies based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) has generated significant social and academic interest, especially with the rapid adoption of generative AI systems such as ChatGPT. These tools, designed to simulate human communication, have become ubiquitous, transforming individual, organizational, and social interactions. This article explores the intersection between AI and human emotional and affective experiences, focusing on the impacts of generative AI on mental health, interpersonal relationships, and social behaviors. Drawing on recent advances in AI, the study presents a critical analysis of the benefits and risks associated with these technologies, including their potential for democratization and accessibility, as well as the ethical challenges posed by biases embedded in their algorithms. The analysis also highlights illustrative cases in which generative AI has influenced emotional well-being, emphasizing the dual role of these technologies as facilitators of connection and potential sources of harm. The article concludes with the importance of discussions on ethics in the development and use of artificial intelligence and on issues of governance and regulation as guarantees for the development and responsible application of AI technologies in different contexts.