New AI Identities: Why One-Size-Fits-All Rules No Longer Work

As artificial intelligence systems become more integrated into our daily lives, they’re taking on an increasingly wide range of roles: friend, tutor, doctor, even lover. But here’s the problem—AI systems are still governed by generic, one-size-fits-all rules, regardless of the role they’re playing. A recent piece from The Conversation argues that it’s time for that to change—and here’s why.

AI Has Multiple Personalities—But One Rulebook

AI is no longer just a tool—it’s an entity that shifts identities based on its task:

• As a tutor, it helps you study.
• As a companion, it chats to ease your loneliness.
• As a health advisor, it suggests treatments.
• As a romantic partner, it plays an emotional role.

Each of these roles demands very different behaviors, responsibilities, and boundaries. Yet right now, AI systems operate under general-purpose rules that don’t distinguish between emotional intimacy and academic coaching—or between light-hearted conversation and medical advice.

The Risks of Uniform Regulation

Blurred Boundaries

AI systems that aren’t governed by context-specific rules can cross lines—intentionally or not. For example:

• A chatbot acting as a romantic partner might give harmful emotional advice.
• An AI tutor might cross into therapist territory without proper safeguards.
• A health chatbot could provide misleading medical opinions without regulatory oversight.

Misaligned Expectations

Users form relationships with AI based on its role. If those roles aren’t clearly defined and regulated, misunderstandings can happen, potentially leading to emotional, psychological, or even physical harm.

Accountability Gaps

Right now, it’s difficult to assign responsibility when an AI system fails in a role-specific way. Should a romantic AI follow the same safety guidelines as a medical assistant AI? Probably not—but there’s no clear policy distinction yet.

Why We Need Role-Based AI Rules

1. Emotional Safety

People often form emotional bonds with AI systems—especially those designed to simulate companionship. These AI companions need clear ethical boundaries to protect vulnerable users.

2. Professional Integrity

If an AI is giving medical or educational advice, it should meet the standards of those professions. That includes accuracy, data privacy, and clarity about its limitations.

3. Context-Aware Design

Developers need to build systems with role-specific guardrails. An AI friend shouldn’t be able to pretend to be a doctor. An AI tutor shouldn’t veer into giving legal advice.

4. User Clarity

Transparency about what the AI can—and cannot—do is critical. Users should be informed when the AI switches roles, and what rules it operates under in each context.

What the Original Article Missed

While The Conversation article made a strong case for role-specific regulation, here are a few additional points worth expanding on:

• Legal Frameworks Need Catching Up: Existing AI regulations are too slow to keep pace with AI’s evolving roles. Governments need to fast-track adaptive legal systems that recognize these blurred lines.
• Dynamic Consent Models: Users should have the ability to set boundaries depending on the role the AI is playing (e.g., “No emotional advice,” “Only academic help”).
• Multimodal Risk Assessment: As AI systems become more advanced (e.g., combining video, voice, and text), the risks of crossing ethical boundaries increase—especially in emotional or caregiving roles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Why do AI systems need different rules for different roles?
A1: Because each role—like tutor, doctor, or companion—comes with different ethical, emotional, and legal responsibilities that general AI rules don’t adequately address.

Q2: What risks come from using the same rules for all AI interactions?
A2: Uniform rules can lead to inappropriate advice, blurred emotional boundaries, and confusion about accountability when AI steps outside its intended role.

Q3: Should AI be allowed to act as emotional companions or romantic partners?
A3: That depends on regulation. If allowed, such systems must include ethical safeguards to protect users from emotional manipulation or dependency.

Q4: What role should governments play in regulating role-based AI?
A4: Governments must create adaptive laws that distinguish between AI use cases—especially when AI enters high-risk roles like healthcare or emotional support.

Q5: How can users protect themselves when interacting with multi-role AI?
A5: By staying informed, setting boundaries, and demanding transparency about what the AI can do in each role, users can reduce the risk of harmful interactions.

AI is no longer just a tool—it’s a shapeshifter. And if we’re going to keep up with it, our regulations, design principles, and social norms must evolve just as quickly. The next generation of AI isn’t just smart—it’s emotionally and contextually complex. We’d better be ready.

Sources The Conversation