Communicating through the Technological Layer

Just human enough to play the part of a therapist, Ellie resides in the computer of the University of Southern California’s (USC) Institute for Creative Technologies. Her actions, motions, and speech mimic that of a real therapist, but not to the point that she seems completely real. But that is exactly the reason why Ellie is so successful.

As technology grew alongside medicine, it became somewhat of a two-edged sword in the field of psychology. In order to provide the best possible care for their patients, health care professionals need accurate and thorough information from their patients. However, studies have shown that patients that have their information recorded digitally as opposed to on paper are more hesitant to reveal personal details about themselves. People are skeptical as to where the information will end up, and are more likely to clarify the privacy of their information.

Ellie seems to work in the exact opposite way. Patients admit that they feel less judged by the virtual therapist and more open to her, especially if they were told that she was operated automatically rather than by a remote person. Despite knowing that their information will be headed the same way, patients have no hesitation in confiding in this masterpiece of an AI. “It’s about what’s happening in the moment – having a safe place to talk,” says Gale Lucas, a social psychologist at the institute.