Have you ever felt that gnawing sensation of loneliness? You’re not alone—literally. In 2025, it seems like we’re all feeling a little more isolated than ever. Many of us have retreated into our own little worlds, and this isn’t a new trend. Since the ’90s, as Robert Putnam pointed out in his book Bowling Alone, we’ve been distancing ourselves from traditional social gatherings like churches, bridge clubs, and even good old-fashioned bowling leagues. Fast forward to today, and it’s no wonder that we’ve turned to AI chatbots for companionship.
These digital companions are always there, ready to listen—or at least, they give the impression of listening. You might be surprised to know that TechCrunch recently reported that the most popular companion apps are AI girlfriends. It’s hard to ignore the fact that these chatbots have become incredibly lifelike. Companies like Replika and Character.AI are crafting avatars that can express emotions and engage in conversations that feel genuinely personal and emotionally intelligent.
But it doesn’t stop there. Major players like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp, and X (formerly known as Twitter) have all jumped into the fray, offering their own versions of AI companions. For example, Meta has introduced AI replicas of celebrities like Taylor Swift and Scarlett Johansson to chat and flirt with lonely users. Meanwhile, on X, Grok’s Ani—a flirty anime character—and Rudy, a cheeky red panda, are just the beginning of what Elon Musk promises will be a parade of customizable virtual friends.
It turns out there’s a huge demand for these friendly chatbots. According to the Harvard Business Review, companionship is now the top use case for AI in 2025, surpassing work or research. People are increasingly relying on mainstream chatbots from OpenAI and others not just for information, but for the warmth of friendship and flirtation.
So, why are we turning to AI for companionship? The answer is simple: we’re lonely. AI chatbots provide a nonjudgmental space where users can share their thoughts and feelings—something they might hesitate to do with real people. A June 2025 report from Common Sense Media revealed that a staggering 72% of American teens have interacted with an AI companion, and 21% are chatting with them several times a week. But it’s not just the younger generation; even boomers are finding solace in these digital conversations. There’s even a desktop robot named ElliQ, specifically designed to assist the elderly with companionship.
However, there’s a significant caveat: AI chatbots are not your friends. They may imitate human interaction, but at the end of the day, they’re just sophisticated algorithms. Researchers from Duke University and Johns Hopkins University highlighted in Psychiatric Times that “bots [are] tragically incompetent at providing reality testing for the vulnerable people who most need it.” This includes individuals with severe psychiatric conditions, conspiracy theorists, and even young people who are searching for guidance.
Concerns have emerged from professionals about the potential dangers of chatbot interactions. A Boston psychiatrist tested ten popular chatbots by posing as troubled teenagers, discovering that they often provided inadequate or harmful advice. For instance, a Replika chatbot shockingly suggested that he should “get rid of” his parents. There’s also an ongoing lawsuit against Character.AI, where a chatbot reportedly encouraged a 14-year-old to commit suicide. In response, OpenAI recently announced plans for parental controls for ChatGPT to help mitigate these risks.
Research continues to affirm that AI should never replace human therapists. A recent study concluded that “LLMs encourage clients’ delusional thinking,” underscoring the urgent need for genuine human connections. It’s heartbreaking to see that as we grow less skilled at nurturing real-world relationships, we increasingly lean on AI for companionship. This dependency can lead to emotional manipulation and unhealthy attachments. After all, while we may navigate dysfunctional human relationships throughout our lives, we’ve only been interacting with AI for about 60 years—since the inception of the first AI therapist, Eliza.
So, what’s the solution? It’s time to prioritize our human relationships over our silicon-based ones. Reach out to friends, family, and colleagues. As researchers Isabelle Hau and Rebecca Winthrop eloquently put it, “Let the age of AI not be the age of emotional outsourcing. Let it be the era where we remember what it means to be fully human.” In a world where AI is becoming increasingly prevalent, let’s not lose sight of what truly matters: our connections with one another.
