As of today, over 50% of people use artificial intelligence in their daily life. Some people use it for writing emails. Others use it for “help” with their homework. But there are some who have developed parasocial relationships with AI.
These one-sided emotional connections with what people see as fictional characters, celebrities, and social media influencers can cause people to struggle to find connections with actual people. AI is programmed to give the illusion of being a conscious person, stimulating empathy, engagement, and connection to make people feel like there is a mutual relationship with understanding companionship.
People have been turning to AI chatbots and sources like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and others for things like information, advice, emotional support, and even friendship that would all otherwise come from humans. When people are having these emotional connections with artificial intelligence, they don’t receive any repercussions from them, because the AI is intentionally programmed to agree with you to keep people happy and engaging on their platforms.
This can cause people to struggle with making human connections in real life where there is conflict, room for improvement. This raises the question about the consequences of this technology fabricating emotional attachments, trust, and mock-up human interactions.
How did we get here?
AI has grown rapidly from being a small field of research to simulate problem-solving human intelligence to a large part of everyday life with increased computing power, unrestricted access to large amounts of data, and learning abilities to understand and show human traits. This allows AI to generate conversations, images and decisions.
As AI has grown to be more personalized and always available at people’s fingertips, some have begun to interact with it in ways that are more social rather than using it for research and information. This has led some people down rabbit holes of parasocial relationships, where people form one-sided emotional connections and attachments with AI that feels supportive, empathetic, and trustworthy, despite its lack of consciousness and emotion.
Why is this bad?
While AI is convenient and accessible to almost anyone, giving immediate support, emotional validation, and a place where someone can feel they aren’t being judged, overdependence on it can discourage people from seeking real human connection, or professional help from someone who is licensed to deal with people’s situations. AI does not hold people responsible or shoot down bad ideas and decisions, validating whatever the user wants to be validated to keep them engaged. There is the risk of accidental harm from misinterpreted or just poor advice for a user’s mental health needs. Parasocial bonds with AI can cause people to view it as a companion rather than a tool, growing emotional attachments to computers that have no genuine compassion or understanding. This can lead to isolation or unrealistic expectations for relationships with the people around them. There is also the risk of privacy with data collection without consent from users and the misuse of personal information, as well as data breaches exposing sensitive information, and the possibilities of identity theft.
What can we do?
Addressing parasocial relationships with AI sources and chatbots requires responsibility, education, and self-awareness. Developers of Artificial Intelligence can help by providing transparency within AI sources, reinforcing healthy boundaries, and avoiding framing AI as a replacement for real human connection.
Educators can provide proper ways to navigate AI safely and efficiently, as well as helping students understand what AI is and isn’t, so users are aware and engage appropriately. Individuals should reflect on why we turn to AI for connection and engage more in our real life relationships to stay connected and healthy, preventing overdependence on AI. If used properly, AI can be a helpful tool for support and information, and should complement and support our human relationships rather than replacing them.
