Evidence base
American Psychological Association, Monitor on Psychology
AI Chatbots and Digital Companions Are Reshaping Emotional Connection
What it found
This APA Monitor review surveys emerging evidence on AI chatbots and digital companions as sources of emotional connection, finding the research base mixed rather than conclusive. It reports that effects on loneliness depend on who is using the tool, how the chatbot is designed, and how intensively it is used, rather than following a simple positive or negative pattern.
Why it matters for practice
This is a review, not primary research, so it should be read as a map of an unsettled field rather than a verdict on whether AI companionship helps or harms. Programme designers considering AI tools for isolation or loneliness work should treat the dependency on user characteristics and usage patterns as a caution against one-size-fits-all deployment.