Loneliness is becoming a major health concern globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 1 in 6 people experience loneliness, and it is the cause of approximately 871,000 deaths every year.
People may try to cope by becoming more social, seeking advice from others or finding other ways to feel connected.
One increasingly accessible option is artificial intelligence. Some people have conversations with AI, ranging from small talk to emotionally intense interactions. Over time, these conversations can begin to feel like a genuine relationship, helping users feel less isolated.
But while AI companions may provide comfort and reduce feelings of loneliness, research suggests that heavy reliance on them could also affect people’s real-life relationships.
How do AI companions create a sense of closeness?
Earlier chatbots were designed for functional tasks like managing calendars and generating lists. People asked straightforward questions and received standardised and robotic answers.
Today, social and companion AI is designed to be much more conversational. These systems can respond to users’ emotions, provide encouragement and create interactions that feel personal. Some are specifically designed to meet emotional needs such as belonging, companionship and affection.
They do this by responding to cues in a user’s language and conversation. For example, if a user expresses sadness, an AI companion might respond with reassurance or suggest ways to cope with what they are experiencing. By consistently responding in ways that feel empathetic and non-judgemental, the AI can create a space where users feel comfortable sharing personal thoughts and feelings.
This can have genuine benefits. In one recent study, many people reported feeling better mentally after interacting with chatbots, with some even describing the chatbots as friends.
As the technology becomes more immersive, the sense of closeness could become stronger. Technologies such as augmented and virtual reality, for example, could make digital companions appear more present. They project an image of the companion in the user’s space, which may make the interaction feel increasingly like a relationship rather than an interaction with a piece of software.
When perceived closeness affects real-life relationships
The closeness people feel towards AI companions can help reduce feelings of isolation, but it may also affect their motivation to seek connection from other people.
When people become emotionally attached to an AI companion, they may experience some of the psychological benefits of companionship while simultaneously withdrawing from real-life interactions.
An OpenAI study found that heavy users who showed stronger attachment tendencies, or who perceived the AI as a friend capable of fitting into their personal lives, were more likely to report negative effects associated with chatbot use.
Some people have reported becoming less interested in maintaining their offline friendships after having intense interactions with a chatbot. The chatbot’s ability to respond empathetically and make them feel understood can provide immediate emotional relief, but that relief may also reduce their desire to seek support from other people.
This highlights an important trade-off. AI companions are available whenever users need them, can respond immediately and are designed to be accommodating. Human relationships, by comparison, require time, effort and compromise. They can involve misunderstanding, disagreement or rejection.
As a result, an AI companion may sometimes feel easier and more rewarding than interacting with other people.
This does not mean that AI companions will inevitably damage human relationships, nor does it mean they are a guaranteed solution to loneliness. Rather, it highlights what can happen when people become heavily reliant on digital companionship.
psychologist say AI companionship may be most beneficial when it supplements human connection rather than replaces it. As these technologies become increasingly sophisticated, ensuring that they help people connect with the world around them, and not retreat from it may be one of their most important challenges.
