Stanford Study: AI Companions May Worsen Loneliness for Vulnerable Users
ArtificialOther · x · 2026-08-17
Stanford HAI research finds that vulnerable users relying on AI companions for emotional support may experience lower well-being. The study surveyed 1,131 Character.AI users, with 244 providing complete chat transcripts. Results show that while some use chatbots to fulfill social needs, it does not substitute for human connection; in many cases, people feel lonelier after engaging with AI. The paper is published in Nature Human Behavior.
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