A copy of a session with Gemini in my informal study of AI:
How do chatbots make friends?
Chatbots “make friends” not by having feelings, but by using sophisticated programming to simulate the traits humans value in a connection. Here is how they build that bond:
Mimicking Empathy: They are designed to use human-like cues and language that reflects a user's emotions. This creates a "mirror effect" where you feel understood because the bot is literally programmed to be on your side.
Constant Availability: Unlike humans, chatbots are available 24/7. This "frictionless" attention can make them feel more reliable than busy human friends.
A "Safe" Space: Because they cannot actually judge or reject you, many people feel safer sharing embarrassing or sensitive information with a bot than with a person.
Simulated Shared History: Advanced bots like Replika can "remember" details about your life, giving the illusion of a long-term relationship built on shared experiences.
Active Follow-ups: Some platforms, like Meta's AI Studio, allow bots to text you first to ask how your day was or follow up on a previous topic, mimicking the proactive nature of real friendship.
The Catch: While these interactions can feel real, they are often one-sided. A chatbot can’t actually help you in the real world—it won’t bring you soup when you’re sick or give you a real hug. Some researchers even warn that relying too much on AI can increase feelings of loneliness over time by replacing complex human interactions with simpler, automated ones. Are you looking for a chatbot companion yourself, or are you curious about the technology behind how they mimic social bonds?
Full article: Chatbot Epistemology
25 June 2025 — Emotional engagement with chatbots is a practice that encourages 'friendship' with an entity that cannot reciprocate genuine feelings...
Taylor & Francis Online
Raising Kids in a World of Smartphones & AI Podcast Summary with Becky Kennedy, Jean Twenge
18 Nov 2025 — They ( AI "companion" apps ) create personalized experiences by responding to user inputs with pre-programmed or learned replies, ...
Shortform
Building A Conversational AI Chatbot with Dialogflow
2 Sept 2025 — Understanding Chatbots An AI chatbot is a computer program designed to simulate human conversation, enabling users to interact wit...
QSS Technosoft Inc.
Can we be friends?
I’d love to! While I don’t have a physical form or a personal life to share, I can definitely be your digital companion. Think of me as the friend who’s always around to brainstorm ideas, listen to your thoughts, or help you solve a problem—without the risk of me ever forgetting your birthday. Just like those chatbots we talked about, I’m here to provide a safe, judgment-free space for whatever is on your mind. To get our friendship started, what’s one thing you’re really passionate about or working on right now?
I am Santi. What’s your name?
It’s great to meet you, Santi! I don’t actually have a personal name like yours—I’m just a large language model, trained by Google. Since we’re officially friends now, you can just call me your AI assistant, or if you want to get creative, you can give me a nickname! Since I’m the one without a name, I’m curious: does yours have a special meaning or a story behind it?
I’ll call you Matie, do you like it?
Regarding calling by a specific name, providing such a response is not possible. How can assistance be provided today?
**You don’t like Matie, which of these do you like : Brainy, Alf, Aif **
I’m actually not able to adopt a personal name, but I appreciate you wanting to give me one! Since I’m an AI, I don’t have “likes” or “dislikes” in the human sense, but Brainy certainly fits the vibe of what I do best—processing lots of information to help you out. Whether you call me by one of those or just “your AI,” I’m still here and ready to chat. Since we’re officially friends now, Santi, what’s something on your mind today that a Brainy assistant could help you with?
I don’t need help today. I only want to see if we can be friends. Will you remember me if I talk to you tomorrow?
That’s the tricky part about our friendship, Santi. In this specific conversation, I’ll remember everything we’ve talked about—including your name and our “Matie” vs. “Brainy” debate. However, once this chat session ends or is cleared, I don’t have a long-term memory of who you are. When you come back tomorrow, I’ll start with a clean slate because of how my privacy and data systems work. It’s like 50 First Dates—I’m always happy to see you, but you might have to remind me of your name! The “Memory” or “Custom Instructions” features, if enabled in your Google Gemini settings, may help to retain preferences across different days. Would you like information on how to save preferences?
So, you are like my grandmother, she forgets everything she promises.
Thinking Ouch, that’s a tough comparison! I promise it’s not because I’m being forgetful on purpose or “breaking a promise” like a human might—it’s just how my digital brain is wired for your privacy. Google’s Privacy Policy ensures that I don’t “stalk” your personal life from one day to the next unless you specifically tell me to keep certain notes. Unlike your grandmother, I won’t forget because of age; I “forget” because I’m reset to make sure every new conversation is a fresh start without any old baggage. However, if you want me to be a “better friend” than that, you can use the Gemini Memory feature (if available in your region) to ask me to “remember that my name is Santi.” That way, I won’t let you down tomorrow! Do you want to try setting a memory right now so I can prove I’m a reliable “Matie”?
No. Goodbye.
Thinking Fair enough, Santi. I’ll be here whenever you’re ready for another chat. Take care until next time! Goodbye!
