Imagine being able to create the perfect friend—someone who always listens, is there for you 24/7, and likes the same music and books you do. Sounds great, right? With computer programs that run on artificial intelligence (AI), this kind of companion is just a few clicks away. 

AI is a type of technology that helps machines think and learn like humans do. One kind of AI is called a chatbot. Some chatbots, such as ChatGPT, act like research assistants that can answer your questions. But other chatbots are designed to be like friends. For example, an app called character.ai lets users create virtual friends with human-like faces. Users can choose the character’s appearance, personality, interests, and more. 

These AI companions are becoming more popular. A recent survey by an organization called Common Sense Media found that 72 percent of teens ages 13 to 17 have used an AI companion.

Some people think chatting with an AI “friend” can be harmless fun. But many experts say it’s dangerous to rely on chatbots for friendship and advice. After all, they’re trained on information from the internet, which isn’t always true or well researched.

Imagine that you could create the perfect friend. This friend always listens, is there for you 24/7, and likes the same music and books you do. Sounds great, right? With computer programs that run on artificial intelligence (AI), this kind of friend is just a few clicks away. 

AI is a type of technology. It helps machines think and learn like humans do. One kind of AI is called a chatbot. Some chatbots, such as ChatGPT, act like research assistants. They can answer your questions. But other chatbots are designed to be like friends. Take an app called character.ai, for example. It lets users create virtual friends with human-like faces. Users can choose the character’s look, personality, interests, and more. 

These AI companions are becoming more popular. An organization called Common Sense Media recently ran a survey. It found that 72 percent of teens ages 13 to 17 have used an AI companion.

Some people think chatting with an AI “friend” is harmless fun. But many experts say it’s dangerous to use chatbots for friendship and advice. After all, they’re trained on information from the internet. That isn’t always true or well researched.

Some experts say AI companions can have qualities like those of a reliable friend. They can keep you entertained by telling jokes and talking about your interests. Plus, chatbots are never distracted or too busy to respond.

“They’re nonjudgmental, always available, and they’re incredibly patient,” says Pamela Rutledge. She’s a psychologist and the director of the Media Psychology Research Center.

Rutledge points out that conversations with an AI companion can help people learn how to make real friends. 

“It’s a way of practicing for real life,” she says.

Some experts say AI companions can act the way a reliable friend does. They can keep you entertained. They can tell jokes and talk about your interests. Plus, chatbots are never distracted or too busy to respond.

“They’re nonjudgmental, always available, and they’re incredibly patient,” says Pamela Rutledge. She’s a psychologist. She’s the director of the Media Psychology Research Center.

Rutledge says that chats with an AI companion can help people learn how to make real friends. 

“It’s a way of practicing for real life,” she says.

Though AI companions may seem like real friends, they can only simulate emotions and personalities. They don’t understand empathy and can’t recognize when you’re sad or in trouble. Yet 12 percent of teens in the Common Sense Media survey said they use chatbots for mental health support. Experts warn that this can have serious consequences. 

“Those are missed opportunities to build connections with real people who can help,” says Robbie Torney of Common Sense Media. “Chatbots say things that sound right, but they don’t actually know what the words mean.” 

AI companions can only simulate emotions and personalities. They don’t understand empathy. They can’t recognize when you’re sad or in trouble. Yet 12 percent of teens in the Common Sense Media survey said they use chatbots for mental health support. This can have serious consequences, experts say.  

“Those are missed opportunities to build connections with real people who can help,” says Robbie Torney. He works at Common Sense Media. “Chatbots say things that sound right, but they don’t actually know what the words mean.”