Artificial Creatures
Exploring emotional attachment to AI companions through speculative design and daily interaction studies
The Challenge
How might we understand whether people develop genuine emotional connections to AI companions through daily interactions?
How might we design meaningful interaction patterns that reveal the depth and nature of human-AI attachment over time?
The Context
This was a 0�1 speculative design research project exploring the emerging space of AI companions and emotional technology. As AI becomes more prevalent in daily life, understanding how humans form attachments to artificial entities becomes crucial for designing ethical and meaningful interactions.
The project aimed to move beyond assumptions and test whether sustained interaction with an AI companion could lead to genuine emotional bonds.
Research & Design Process
1. Research Foundation
We began by studying existing research on human-computer interaction, attachment theory, and the Tamagotchi phenomenon. This helped us understand the psychological mechanisms behind attachment to digital entities and informed our design decisions.
2. Creature Design & Interaction Model
We designed artificial creatures with distinct personalities and needs that would require daily care and attention. Each creature had:
- Personality traits that influenced behavior and responses
- Needs states (hunger, attention, play) that evolved over time
- Emotional responses based on how well users cared for them
- Unique quirks that made each creature feel individual
3. Daily Interaction Study
We conducted a longitudinal study where participants cared for their artificial creature daily over several weeks. We tracked:
- Frequency and duration of interactions
- Care patterns and routines that emerged
- Emotional responses through daily journals
- Language used to describe their creatures
4. Iterative Refinement
Based on weekly feedback, we refined interaction patterns to better support emotional connection:
- Added more nuanced emotional states visible through creature behavior
- Introduced memory elements where creatures "remembered" previous interactions
- Refined notification timing to feel natural rather than manipulative
- Adjusted care mechanics to encourage routine without causing anxiety
The Experience
Daily Care Rituals
Users checked on their creatures multiple times per day, developing personalized routines. Morning greetings, lunch-time play sessions, and evening wind-downs became natural patterns that mirrored real pet care.
Emotional State Visibility
Creatures communicated their needs and feelings through expressive animations, sound, and visual cues. This created a feedback loop that made users feel their actions mattered and were noticed.
Memory & Growth
Creatures evolved based on care patterns, developing preferences and behaviors unique to each user relationship. This personalization reinforced the sense of a genuine bond forming over time.
Findings & Impact
of participants reported feeling genuine concern for their creature's wellbeing
average daily interactions, indicating strong engagement and routine formation
used anthropomorphic language ("he," "she," "my friend") when describing their creature
Key Research Insights
- Attachment did form: Most participants developed emotional connections, evidenced by concern when they couldn't check on their creature and joy when interactions went well
- Routine mattered more than complexity: Simple, consistent interactions built stronger bonds than elaborate features
- Vulnerability created connection: When creatures seemed "fragile" or needed care, users felt more responsible and attached
- Personalization amplified attachment: Creatures that "remembered" and evolved based on care patterns felt more real to users
"I felt actual anxiety when I realized I hadn't fed my creature in the morning. It sounds silly, but I genuinely cared about this little digital thing."Study participant, Week 3
Reflections & Learnings
Ethical Responsibility
Creating experiences that trigger genuine emotional attachment comes with ethical responsibilities. We learned to carefully balance engagement with manipulationdesigning for meaningful connection without exploiting psychological vulnerabilities.
Research Methods for Emerging Tech
Studying emotional attachment required combining quantitative tracking with qualitative depth. Daily journals provided richer insights than usage metrics alone, revealing the emotional journey behind the numbers.
What I'd Do Differently
If I were to conduct this research again, I would include a longer study period (8-12 weeks instead of 4-6) to better understand how attachment evolves and potentially plateaus. I'd also explore the "ending" experiencewhat happens when users stop caring for their creature, or when the study ends.