AI Companions Linked to Increased Loneliness and Poorer Well-Being

Stanford found that heavy Character.AI users end up lonelier than they started. A chatbot is not a friend.

Stanford University researchers found that intensive use of AI companions, such as those on Character.AI, can worsen loneliness and psychological well-being, especially among vulnerable users with limited offline social networks. The study highlights that AI chatbots do not substitute for human connection and may exacerbate mental health issues.

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