Can AI chatbots make loneliness worse?
Research suggests they can. One study found that more frequent chatbot use correlated with higher loneliness and less socializing with other people. This raises a difficult question for a category marketed as a solution to isolation — the tool people reach for may, in some cases, actually deepen the problem.
Answered in
Millions Use AI Chatbots for Emotional Support — Mental Health Experts Are AlarmedA Congressional report and APA findings reveal widespread AI chatbot use for emotional support while psychologists flag documented risks and failure modes.
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