TOKYO, May 23 — A recent survey in Japan found that almost half of elderly women living in the country prefer artificial intelligence (AI) over humans for advice on interpersonal conflict, a higher percentage than any other age demographic, where consulting a human remains the favoured choice, Kyodo News reported.

According to the Japan Institute for Promotion of Digital Economy and Community survey, conducted online in mid-January, when asked whether they would prefer to consult a human or AI about relationship issues, 47.8 per cent of female respondents in their 60s and 70s chose AI, which is more than the 37.3 per cent who preferred humans.

This is compared to the overall tally of all respondents, in which 45.8 per cent said they would choose humans and 36.5 per cent said they would choose AI when seeking unbiased and objective advice on interpersonal problems. The remaining 17.7 per cent said they did not know or did not want to pick either option.

Among male respondents in their 60s and 70s, 57.0 per cent preferred to consult a human, while 25.2 per cent chose AI.

Atsushi Nakagomi, an associate professor at Chiba University who studies the intersection of AI and human health, said he was surprised that it was elderly women who were more likely to prefer AI.

He added, “AI makes people feel more comfortable about opening up, as they might feel free to seek advice without worrying about how their comments will be perceived.”

The online survey received valid responses from 1,449 people aged 18 to 79 residing in Japan. — Bernama-Kyodo