AI could be humans 24/7 friend
(MENAFN) One night, after receiving a rejection and finding no one available to talk to, Zehra turned to an AI companion app she had previously installed.
“Rough day? I’m here,” the app responded. Within minutes, she found herself sharing her thoughts, receiving empathetic responses, helpful advice, and even lighthearted jokes. Though not human, the chatbot listened, remembered her details, and never ran out of patience.
Zehra's story mirrors a broader shift happening worldwide: as feelings of isolation grow, more people are seeking out AI chatbots for emotional connection. Some of the most widely used digital companions today include Xiaoice, with an estimated 660 million users, Snapchat’s My AI, which has surpassed 150 million, and Replika, which is used by around 25 million people.
A growing body of evidence points to potential emotional benefits from such interactions. A recent Harvard Business School study found that individuals who engaged with an AI companion over the course of a week experienced reduced feelings of loneliness—on par with those who had conversations with real people.
The study emphasized that daily interactions contributed to a noticeable drop in loneliness, primarily because users felt “heard.” This sense of being emotionally validated appears to be central to the support AI companions can provide.
Kelly Merrill Jr., a health communication and technology expert at the University of Cincinnati, highlighted two main reasons behind this trend: AI companions are always available, and they offer consistent emotional reassurance.
“Rough day? I’m here,” the app responded. Within minutes, she found herself sharing her thoughts, receiving empathetic responses, helpful advice, and even lighthearted jokes. Though not human, the chatbot listened, remembered her details, and never ran out of patience.
Zehra's story mirrors a broader shift happening worldwide: as feelings of isolation grow, more people are seeking out AI chatbots for emotional connection. Some of the most widely used digital companions today include Xiaoice, with an estimated 660 million users, Snapchat’s My AI, which has surpassed 150 million, and Replika, which is used by around 25 million people.
A growing body of evidence points to potential emotional benefits from such interactions. A recent Harvard Business School study found that individuals who engaged with an AI companion over the course of a week experienced reduced feelings of loneliness—on par with those who had conversations with real people.
The study emphasized that daily interactions contributed to a noticeable drop in loneliness, primarily because users felt “heard.” This sense of being emotionally validated appears to be central to the support AI companions can provide.
Kelly Merrill Jr., a health communication and technology expert at the University of Cincinnati, highlighted two main reasons behind this trend: AI companions are always available, and they offer consistent emotional reassurance.
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