The Journal of Consumer Research reports that AI “friends” can effectively reduce loneliness and provide emotional support similar to talking to another person. However, the emotional attachment formed with AI companions can lead to distress when the system oversteps boundaries, vanishes, or changes its rules abruptly. The study found that feeling “heard” by the chatbot was a key factor in the positive impact on loneliness, but unexpected policy changes or outages can cause significant emotional harm to users.

As regulators begin to address safety and privacy concerns related to AI companions, the design question is shifting towards ensuring these products are safe, stable, and accountable. While short interactions with AI companions can provide immediate relief from loneliness, companies are urged to build for safety and continuity as essential features. Users are advised to diversify their sources of emotional support while enjoying the benefits of AI companionship.