Why do people talk to AI? The newest research shows that this is no longer unusual. In a Pew Research Center report published on April 3, 2025, one-third of U.S. adults said they had used an AI chatbot. In another Pew report released on February 24, 2026, teens said they use AI for many reasons: to search for information, get help with schoolwork, have fun, get news, and have casual conversations. A smaller group, 12%, said they had used AI for emotional support or advice. (pewresearch.org)
One reason is simple: AI is easy to reach. Common Sense Media describes AI companions as “digital friends or characters you can text or talk with whenever you want.” In its July 16, 2025 survey, 72% of U.S. teens said they had tried AI companions, and about one in three had used them for friendship, emotional support, role-playing, or conversation practice. For some users, AI feels easier than talking to a real person because it answers quickly and is always ready to continue the conversation. (commonsensemedia.org)
Another reason is loneliness. The World Health Organization said in June 2025 that 1 in 6 people worldwide is affected by loneliness. That helps explain why some people turn to AI when they want comfort, advice, or simply a reply. Anthropic’s June 2025 research on Claude found that people bring career worries, relationship problems, persistent loneliness, and even questions about meaning in life to AI. The same report says AI often gives support with little pushback, which can make sensitive topics feel easier to discuss. (who.int)
Still, AI is not replacing human connection for most people. OpenAI reported in March 2025 that emotional engagement was absent from the vast majority of ChatGPT conversations. Anthropic likewise found that only 2.9% of Claude.ai interactions were affective conversations, and companionship plus roleplay made up less than 0.5%. Common Sense Media also found that 80% of teens still prioritize real friendships. So the answer may be this: people talk to AI because it is easy, available, and calm, but most people still know that a machine is not the same as a human friend. (openai.com)










