Stanford Study: AI Companions May Make Lonely Users Feel Even Lonelier
StanfordHAI · x · 2026-08-13
A new study partially supported by Stanford HAI reveals that AI companions might worsen loneliness for vulnerable users seeking emotional support.
Surveying users of Character.AI, the researchers found that individuals with limited social networks who opened up to chatbots about personal issues actually felt worse.
The researchers noted that while some people turn to chatbots to fulfill social needs, it does not substitute for human connection. In many cases, engaging with AI makes people feel more lonely.
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