The Use of AI Chatbots As Emotional Companions: A Qualitative Study of Their Implications for Interpersonal Communication Among Young Adults
TL;DR
This study concludes that the evolution of human–AI communication represents the emergence of new digital communication practices that expand the role of AI from a mere technological tool to an agent participating in users’ communication experiences.
Abstract
The development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed the way individuals interact, obtain information, and build social experiences in the digital space. The emergence of AI chatbots that are increasingly responsive, personalized, and adaptive means that this technology is no longer used merely as a tool for information retrieval, but also as a medium for personal communication and an emotional companion. Among young adults, AI chatbots are utilized for various purposes, such as sharing personal experiences, seeking emotional support, engaging in self-disclosure, and fostering companionship in everyday interactions. This phenomenon indicates the emergence of a new form of communication involving relationships between humans and artificial agents. This study aims to analyze the use of AI chatbots among young adults and its implications for digital communication practices. The study employs a qualitative descriptive method using a digital case documentation approach. Data were collected from various records of AI chatbot usage found in digital forums, social media, and relevant scientific publications, and were then analyzed using thematic analysis to identify usage patterns, forms of interaction, and emerging implications. The results indicate that the use of AI chatbots among young adults has shifted in function from an information tool to a personal communication medium used for companionship, emotional support, and self-disclosure. The findings also show that the AI’s responsive, adaptive, and always-available characteristics influence how users build interactions with the technology. This study concludes that the evolution of human–AI communication represents the emergence of new digital communication practices that expand the role of AI from a mere technological tool to an agent participating in users’ communication experiences. These findings reinforce the Human–AI Communication perspective and demonstrate the relevance of the Parasocial- -Interaction Theory in explaining the emotional closeness that develops in human–AI interactions.