Artificial intelligence is becoming something much more personal than a tool for writing emails, answering questions or getting work done. Millions of Americans are now turning to AI chatbots for advice, emotional support, companionship and conversations they may not be comfortable having with another person.
A new Elon University survey found that 27% of U.S. adult internet users have social or emotional interactions with AI systems such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and Copilot. The behavior is even more common among younger adults, with nearly 40% of people under 50 reporting that they use AI in these ways.
What they’re discussing can be surprisingly personal. Among people who use AI socially or emotionally, 53% said they turn to it for advice about difficult situations with other people, while 51% said talking with AI helps them feel better when they’re stressed or upset. Half said they use AI to talk through personal problems or feelings, and 39% said they have told an AI things they wouldn’t tell other people.
For some users, the relationship goes even further. Nearly one-third said they consider their AI chatbot a friend, while 37% said they would feel a sense of personal loss if they could no longer interact with it. People are also using AI to think through major decisions involving health, relationships, careers, finances and family life.
The growing attachment isn’t entirely comfortable. More than one-third of regular AI companion users said chatbots agree with them too much, and 15% said interacting with AI can make them feel less connected to reality. The findings suggest Americans are simultaneously finding real value in these conversations while beginning to recognize some of the risks that can accompany relying too heavily on them.
The Readovia Lens
AI was introduced to most people as a tool, but some users are beginning to treat it more like a confidant. The striking part isn’t simply that people talk to AI — it’s that they’re increasingly bringing it into parts of life once reserved for close friends, family members, advisers and sometimes therapists. As these conversations become more common, knowing when AI is useful and when a human connection matters more may become one of the defining challenges of living with the technology.
