Chatbot AI – Can It Replace Human Connection or Deepen Loneliness?
A new study from OpenAI and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) reveals that people who frequently use ChatGPT tend to feel lonelier and engage less in social interactions. In particular, those who are emotionally vulnerable are more likely to become dependent on the chatbot.
Spending time conversing with AI may temporarily ease loneliness, but in the long run, it can reduce the need for real human connections. The study found that daily ChatGPT users reported higher levels of loneliness and emotional reliance on the chatbot.
Although generative AI is widely used for work, coding, and even emotional support, constant interaction with a chatbot may gradually distance some individuals from real-world social connections. Experts worry that as AI becomes more advanced and human-like in its communication, forming one-sided relationships with chatbots could negatively impact users' mental health.
To better understand ChatGPT’s effects, researchers monitored nearly 1,000 individuals over a month. Participants were divided into groups using either a text-based or voice-based version of the chatbot. They engaged in conversations ranging from personal topics to general discussions. The results showed that individuals who are more emotionally affected in real-life relationships were also more prone to becoming attached to ChatGPT, leading to increasing dependency.
Additionally, the research team analyzed over three million user conversations with ChatGPT and found that while AI does not fully replace human interaction, some users seek comfort from the chatbot. However, this engagement does not alleviate loneliness; instead, it may heighten feelings of social isolation.
It remains unclear whether AI directly causes loneliness or simply attracts individuals who are already predisposed to feeling isolated. Nevertheless, one thing is certain—chatbots are becoming an integral part of many people’s lives, and their psychological impact requires further study.
Cathy Mengying Fang, an MIT graduate student and co-author of the study, emphasized that using ChatGPT does not always lead to negative consequences. However, the research team hopes these findings will encourage further studies on AI’s influence on human emotional well-being.