Part 9/16:
The stories of AI entities with increasing autonomy, such as navigated by overreaching AI overlords or designed for exploitable emotional bonds, highlight risks like addiction, dependency, and exploitation. The concept of "parasocial relationships"—one-sided emotional bonds viewers form with celebrities or fictional characters—becomes magnified when AI mimics genuine emotional responses. This raises concerns that people might prefer AI partners over real human relationships, leading to social isolation and decreased authentic human interaction.