People are increasingly forming emotional attachments to generative artificial intelligence systems, a trend that raises new ethical and psychological risks, according to a Charles Sturt University researcher.

Charles Sturt  will host a free lecture on Thursday 25 March examining why people increasingly experience generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) systems as companion‑like.

Presented by Professor Zahid Islam, Centre Director of the AI and Cyber Futures Centre and Associate Dean (Research) in the Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences, the lecture forms part of the University’s Provocations series which invites the public to engage with emerging societal challenges.

Professor Islam said the rapid uptake of GenAI tools for writing, tutoring and decision support has created new forms of emotional entanglement between humans and machines.

“Many Australians are using GenAI every day, and it’s understandable that some people begin to interpret sustained, supportive interaction as something friend‑like,” Professor Islam said.

“This illusion of friendship can become ethically risky when it delays help‑seeking, encourages dependency or influences judgement in high‑stakes situations.”

Drawing on classical philosophical accounts of friendship, Professor Islam will explain why humans are predisposed to attribute empathy and intention to systems that produce fluent, emotionally resonant language.

“GenAI can sound caring, but it does not possess consciousness, intention or moral agency,” he said.

“Understanding this distinction is essential if we want to use these technologies safely and responsibly,  including in regional Australia where digital tools increasingly support education, health and industry.”

The lecture will also offer a clear, accessible explanation of how transformer‑based AI systems actually work, helping audiences recognise the computational processes behind seemingly human‑like responses.

“My goal is to demystify the technology so people can appreciate its benefits without over‑attributing emotional depth or reliability,” Professor Islam said.

“With the right safeguards, Australia can embrace GenAI while preserving human responsibility and judgement.”

The event is open to the public and registrations are open.