The New Gen Z: Teens & AI Companions reveals that 72% of U.S. teens have used AI companions at least once. This trend further emphasizes the role of artificial intelligence in fostering social connections among youth. The study included a variety of socio-economic backgrounds and found the usage was common. It also revealed the conflicting ways people view and engage with these digital entities.
AI companions have become widespread for teens. Survey findings indicate that 13% of teens interact with AI companions on a daily basis. At the same time, 21% interact with them multiple times weekly. This depth of commitment marks a substantive point of how deeply settled this AI technology has become in the social ecology of today’s teenagers. Despite the popular buzz of AI companions, many users expressed doubt. Shockingly, half of the respondents confessed they don’t trust information coming from these new digital pals.
These reasons for AI companions differ widely depending on the child. Approximately 39% reported utilizing these tools to practice social skills, suggesting that many view AI as a safe space for developing interpersonal abilities. Meanwhile, 18% of respondents have used AI pals as ice-breakers and 14% have used them for advice. On top of that, 13% said they rely on AI companions to help them process their feelings.
Gender differences emerged in the study. Most notably, 31% of boys indicated they had never interacted with an AI companion. In sharp contrast, just 25% of females reported the same. This gap underlines possible differences in adoption and trust in tech between teen boys and girls.
For all their allure, most teens – of which only about 39% actually use AI companions – still prefer interacting with other humans. Eighty percent of teens who have used AI companions say they’ve actually spent more time with real friends since chatting with chatbots. On the flip side, 33% of teens surveyed believe conversations with AI friends are more fulfilling than discussions with their classmates. It’s indicative of how, for some, digital interaction can quench certain social thirsts.
Our teens have an intense desire for authenticity. In reality, an overwhelming 67% report that chats with AI just aren’t as satisfying as talking to their buddies. This leaves us to wonder what the emotional and psychological effects are on society when we increasingly turn to technology to meet our social needs. Most teens treat these AI chatroom encounters simply as a rehearsal space. They do not view it as a substitute for actual human connection. Perhaps more importantly, 39% had used AI chats to help them navigate tricky conversations in real life.
Ironically, the study found that most teens, 46%, take a utilitarian view of AI companions, viewing them just as tools or programs. They don’t consider them to be future friends or confidants. This mindset could have a meaningful impact on how they interact with—and help shape—them going forward.