What do we need most in the age of AI?

Loneliness emerged as a significant societal issue in the 21st century, prompting governments worldwide to address this growing concern. In 2018, the United Kingdom appointed its first Minister for Loneliness, followed by Japan in establishing a comparable role. As of 2026, the United States faces mounting challenges due to the pervasiveness of loneliness, with an increasing number of people turning to AI companion apps for human connection.

The shift towards loneliness was initially perplexing to older generations who believed that dedicating oneself to work alone would prevent loneliness. However, the modern society has evolved this perspective. Single-person households have surged in number, and terms like 'reclusive socially isolated youth' have become common. Additionally, the incidence of solitary deaths, known as 'godoksa' in Korean, has visibly increased.

In response to this alarming trend, local governments have not remained passive. The Seoul Metropolitan Government launched the 'Seoul, No More Loneliness' initiative in 2024, and created the Loneliness Prevent initiative. These measures aim to combat the growing loneliness epidemic by providing support and fostering human connections.