Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
People are increasingly pouring their hearts out to artificial intelligence (AI) on smartphones. One of them is a man who goes by the alias of Ryohamu and has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While Ryohamu often struggles to understand other people, he says, “The use of conversational AI makes me feel assured because I feel like I understand other people’s minds.”
“AI can become a good confidant,” says Yusuke Masuda, director of Waseda Mental Clinic in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward. But he also warns that people with anxiety and loneliness tend to become “addicted” to it.
There are also people who question AI’s insertion into human relations. Kaho Uegaki, a woman working in Tokyo, is on a “digital detox” to help her reduce smartphone usage and regain more human connections.
Is AI a replacement for human connection, or is it a mirror to help people better see themselves? This Nikkei Film explores how Ryohamu and Uegaki are wrestling with these questions.
Watch our Nikkei Film to find out more and take a look at our other video content here: asia.nikkei.com/Video
And for the Asian business, politics, economy and tech stories others miss, please subscribe to Nikkei Asia here: asia.nikkei.com/member/register
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#nikkeifilm #AI #tech #japan #artificialintelligence #nikkeiasia #nikkei
People are increasingly pouring their hearts out to artificial intelligence (AI) on smartphones. One of them is a man who goes by the alias of Ryohamu and has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While Ryohamu often struggles to understand other people, he says, “The use of conversational AI makes me feel assured because I feel like I understand other people’s minds.”
“AI can become a good confidant,” says Yusuke Masuda, director of Waseda Mental Clinic in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward. But he also warns that people with anxiety and loneliness tend to become “addicted” to it.
There are also people who question AI’s insertion into human relations. Kaho Uegaki, a woman working in Tokyo, is on a “digital detox” to help her reduce smartphone usage and regain more human connections.
Is AI a replacement for human connection, or is it a mirror to help people better see themselves? This Nikkei Film explores how Ryohamu and Uegaki are wrestling with these questions.
Watch our Nikkei Film to find out more and take a look at our other video content here: asia.nikkei.com/Video
And for the Asian business, politics, economy and tech stories others miss, please subscribe to Nikkei Asia here: asia.nikkei.com/member/register
== == == == == ==
Follow us on:
Website: asia.nikkei.com
Twitter: twitter.com/NikkeiAsia
Facebook: facebook.com/nikkeiasia
Instagram: instagram.com/nikkeiasia
Threads: threads.com/@nikkeiasia
LinkedIn: http://s.nikkei.com/liasia
Telegram: https://t.me/nikkeiasia
WhatsApp: https://s.nikkei.com/3NlNUm9
#nikkeifilm #AI #tech #japan #artificialintelligence #nikkeiasia #nikkei
