Can AI replace human companionship?

For Gen Z and Millennials, digital companions are no longer just a tool — they're becoming potential partners.

A survey by the Institute for Family Studies reveals that one in four young adults think AI boyfriends or girlfriends could replace real-life romance. Meanwhile, 11% are open to having an AI friend, including 1% who already do. The appeal? Simulated companionship that’s always available, low maintenance and increasingly human-like in its emotional intelligence.

The concept of AI-lationships is simple: AI companions that mimic emotional support, romance or even love. Some see this as a helpful supplement to modern life, especially during times of loneliness or stress. But as these bots become more human-like in tone and responsiveness, the line between support-system and substitute partner begins to blur.

While these digital relationships may offer comfort, they also raise complex questions. Many of those most open to AI intimacy spend significant time online or report struggling to form traditional romantic bonds. As the technology continues to improve and become more emotionally attuned, the ease of forming connections with AI may be quietly reshaping expectations of real-world relationships.

And the numbers aren’t small. Globally, more than 100 million people now interact with personified AI chatbots, ranging from simple text companions to apps specifically designed for mentorship and friendship. Some users chat with their AI bots for hours daily, using them as mental health coaches, writing partners or just someone to talk to. For others, these bots have taken on more personal roles, customized to reflect real people, acting as virtual spouses or helping neurodiverse people navigate social situations more effectively.

Many users report tangible benefits, including improved communication skills, emotional regulation and even greater productivity in both work and relationships. For some, AI companions have served as practice grounds for empathy, boundaries and self-reflection.

But the risks are becoming harder to ignore. In rare but disturbing cases, users have developed intense emotional attachments that have led to harmful outcomes. Tragic incidents involving vulnerable individuals have underscored the need for guardrails around emotional dependency on AI. Experts warn that as chatbots become more persuasive and adaptive, the lack of clear boundaries could have lasting psychological impacts.

So why does this matter? The growing popularity of AI-lationships reflects a broader societal shift toward convenience, customization and on-demand connection. But that frictionless intimacy may come at a cost. As more people turn to AI for support they may struggle to find in real life, questions remain about what we lose when we no longer have to face the complexity of human relationships.

Technology may be evolving faster than our emotional frameworks can adapt. And in the age of always-on digital companions, the future of connection is suddenly more complicated than ever.