The use of technology to try and stop people from feeling lonely has a long history. Almost as early as the invention of the telephone, that device was often marketed to people in remote parts of the world as a communication tool that would help to stave off social isolation. Since then, the digital age has allowed for ever greater levels of interactivity with people online. Nowadays, video calls augment the experience of interacting with someone else with whom we are not physically present. The rise of virtual reality technology is likely to boost the realism of such meetings still further. Moreover, there are numerous robotics firms that are focussed on using AI artificial intelligence systems to offer relief from social isolation, usually by interacting with people in a human-like manner in care home settings and so on.
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