To What Extent Does AI Companionship Impact Human Emotional Well-being and Loneliness?

Nandini Chhibber¹, Aron Elias², Jalyn Huang³#

¹ Van Nuys High School

² Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science

³ Irvine High School

#Advisor

ABSTRACT

Artificial Intelligence has increased in its usage by humans, especially applications such as AI Companionship. AI Companions have been created by humans to support and help humans emotionally and has become one of the most used AI features. The increase in the usage of AI Companionship brings many benefits, but also can have multiple negative consequences. This review paper analyzes studies about the effects of AI Companions on different generations (Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers), different genders, and its overall positive and negative impacts on humans. It shows how AI Companionship mostly impacts all ages in similar ways besides a few differences and how females tend to be more emotionally reliant on it compared to males who are more sexually dependent on it. While AI Companionship can help humans by providing emotional support without judgement, it can also cause them isolation from real-world relationships. Explaining these topics about AI Companionship is important in helping humans understand its characteristics and can be efficiently used by people to decide whether or not having an AI Companion is the best choice for them.

References

  1. Understanding generational differences in the age of AI. (n.d.). AEM | Association of Equipment Manufacturers. https://www.aem.org/news/understanding-generational-differences-in-the-age-of-ai 
  2. How are teens using AI companions? (2025, July 24). Benton Foundation. https://www.benton.org/blog/how-are-teens-using-ai-companions 
  3. eSafetyCommissioner. (2025, February 18). https://www.esafety.gov.au/newsroom/blogs/ai-chatbots-and-companions-risks-to-children-and-young-people#:~:text=Children%20and%20young%20people%20are%20particularly%20vulnerable%20to%20mental%20and,emotional%20regulation%20and%20impulse%20control 
  4. Gecker, J. (2025, July 23). Teens say they are turning to AI for advice, friendship and more | AP News. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/ai-companion-generative-teens-mental-health-9ce59a2b250f3bd0187a717ffa2ad21f 
  5. Common Sense Media. (2025, August 26). Social AI companions. Common Sense Media. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ai-ratings/social-ai-companions?gate=riskassessment 
  6. Artificial intelligence and Relationships: 1 in 4 young adults believe AI partners could replace real-life romance. (n.d.). Institute for Family Studies. https://ifstudies.org/blog/artificial-intelligence-and-relationships-1-in-4-young-adults-believe-ai-partners-could-replace-real-life-romance 
  7. Wei, M., MD JD. (2025, March 7). Why our relationships with AI may change how we interact each other. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/urban-survival/202502/how-ai-could-shape-our-relationships-and-social-interactions  
  8. Emotional risks of AI companions demand attention. (2025). Nature Machine Intelligence, 7(7), 981–982. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42256-025-01093-9 
  9. Grace, A. (2024, October 9). Gen Zs, millennials are using AI for emotional support, calling it “more effective” than a pet: study. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2024/10/09/lifestyle/gen-z-millennials-more-comforted-by-ai-over-emotional-support-pets/ 
  10. Media Culture. (2023, December 15). The Digitally Savvy Generation: How Gen X Embraces Technology | Media Culture. mediaculture. https://www.mediaculture.com/insights/digitally-savvy-generation-how-gen-x-embraces-technology 
  11. AI Companions: Emotional support & future human connection. (2025, February 19). Newo. https://newo.ai/insights/exploring-the-future-of-ai-companions-emotional-support-and-human-connection/#:~:text=Emotional%20Benefits%20and%20Psychological%20Impacts,to%20improved%20mental%20well%2Dbeing 
  12. AI, gender and companionship. (n.d.). https://about.proquest.com/en/blog/2019/ai-gender-and-companionship/ 
  13. Loving a “defiant” AI companion? The gender performance and ethics of social exchange robots in simulated intimate interactions. (n.d.). ScienceDirect. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S074756322200440X 
  14. Counterfeit Connections: The rise of AI romantic companions. (n.d.). Institute for Family Studies. https://ifstudies.org/blog/counterfeit-connections-the-rise-of-ai-romantic-companions-  
  15. Men are twice as likely as women to consider an AI companion in the future. (2022, May 24). Theos Think Tank. https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/in-the-news/2022/05/24/men-are-twice-as-likely-as-women-to-consider-an-ai-companion-in-the-future 
  16. Kushnir, S. (2024, December 12). Are AI friendships helpful or harmful? Exploring the pros and cons — Meridian Counseling. Meridian Counseling. https://www.meridian-counseling.com/blog/ai-friendships-helpful-or-harmful#:~:text=How%20AI%20Friendships%20Influence%20Real,desire%20to%20engage%20with%20people 
  17. Pak, P. (2025, April 4). Exploring the rise of AI companions and their impact on mental health. Ensora Health. https://ensorahealth.com/blog/exploring-the-rise-of-ai-companions-and-their-impact-on-mental-health/#:~:text=Users%20often%20develop%20a%20profound,dependence%20on%20a%20pliant%20companion 
  18. Friends for sale: the rise and risks of AI companions. (n.d.). https://www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/blog/ai-companions/#:~:text=A%20subset%20of%20AI%20assistants,and%20are%20rapidly%20becoming%20mainstream 
  19. Michigan Technological University. (2025, August 28). What is Artificial intelligence (AI)? https://www.mtu.edu/computing/ai/#:~:text=What%20is%20AI-,What%20is%20Artificial%20intelligence%20(AI)?,you've%20interacted%20with%20AI 
STAY UPDATED ON NEW INITIATIVES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND EVENTS

Join Our Mailing List

By signing up for the Steamology Project mailing list you will receive announcements and updates on our latest initiatives, opportunities, available volunteering and board positions, and other ways to get involved in the Steamology community! 

Great! Please check your inbox and click the confirmation link.
Sorry, something went wrong. Please try again.