Human-AI Interactions in Teacher Education: Examining Social Presence and Friendship

This study examines the potential of AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, to establish meaningful human-AI friendships with college students enrolled in teacher education programs. Fifty-nine junior-level elementary education majors participated in a three-week intervention study. Using the framework of social presence theory, this research explores whether generative AI technologies can replicate key qualities of friendship, such as empathy, social support, and trust. The findings reveal that while AI chatbots provide practical benefits and reliable assistance, they fall short in fostering the deep emotional and empathetic connections that are fundamental to human relationships. Notably, some participants expressed trust in AI chatbots, citing their ability to keep users' secrets private. The results suggest that enhancing social presence may improve emotional engagement and trust in human-AI interactions. This study contributes to the understanding of AI's role in offering social and emotional support, particularly in explaining student teachers' behaviors with AI technologies within educational settings.