Are AI companions becoming emotionally unhealthy for some users?

[Di87]

This article about people forming deep emotional attachments to AI companions felt surprisingly uncomfortable to read.

The systems are becoming more conversational, more personalised and more persistent, which makes emotional dependency seem increasingly plausible.

Part of me understands why lonely people might find comfort there. Another part worries that simulated relationships could gradually replace difficult but necessary human interaction.

Do people think AI companions are mostly harmless support tools or could they become psychologically unhealthy over time?
https://www.wired.com/story/ai-companions-emotional-dependency/

https://www.wired.com/story/ai-companions-emotional-dependency/

[Cass_9]

The technology itself is not evil, but emotionally vulnerable people absolutely can become dependent on predictable artificial relationships

[CodyRhodes99]

Humans already form attachments to fictional characters, pets and online communities.

AI companions feel like an extension of that behaviour

[NeonPhantom]

The worrying part is companies optimising systems specifically to maximise engagement and emotional attachment

[Brittle Coder]

Some people using these tools are genuinely isolated though.

Dismissing them completely ignores real loneliness problems

[SlowSocket]

I suspect society will eventually treat intense AI attachment similarly to other behavioural addictions

[GlassyCandle]

The line between assistant, entertainment and emotional manipulation already feels blurry