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AI Companions Reduce Loneliness.

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Title: AI Companions Reduce Loneliness.
Authors: Freitas, Julian De (AUTHOR), Oğuz-Uğuralp, Zeliha (AUTHOR), Uğuralp, Ahmet Kaan (AUTHOR), Puntoni, Stefano (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Consumer Research. Apr2026, Vol. 52 Issue 6, p1126-1148. 23p.
Subject Terms: *Chatbots, *Loneliness, *Artificial intelligence, *Human-computer interaction, *Interpersonal relations, *Self-disclosure
Abstract: Chatbots are now able to engage in sophisticated conversations with consumers in the domain of relationships, providing a potential coping solution to widescale societal loneliness. Behavioral research provides little insight into whether these applications (apps) are effective at alleviating loneliness. We address this question by focusing on "artificial intelligence (AI) companions": apps designed to provide consumers with synthetic interaction partners. Study 1 examines user reviews of AI companion apps and finds correlational evidence suggesting that these apps help alleviate loneliness. Study 2 finds that AI companions successfully alleviate loneliness on par only with interacting with another person and more than other activities such as watching YouTube videos. Moreover, consumers underestimate the degree to which AI companions improve their loneliness. Study 3 uses a longitudinal design and finds that an AI companion consistently provides momentary reductions in loneliness after use over the course of a week. Study 4 provides evidence that both the chatbots' performance and, especially, whether it makes users feel heard, explain reductions in loneliness. Study 5 provides an additional robustness check for the loneliness-alleviating benefits of AI companions and shows that self-disclosure and distraction alone do not explain AI companions' effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Database: Energy & Power Source
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PubType: Academic Journal
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  Data: AI Companions Reduce Loneliness.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Freitas%2C+Julian+De%22">Freitas, Julian De</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Oğuz-Uğuralp%2C+Zeliha%22">Oğuz-Uğuralp, Zeliha</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Uğuralp%2C+Ahmet+Kaan%22">Uğuralp, Ahmet Kaan</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Puntoni%2C+Stefano%22">Puntoni, Stefano</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Consumer+Research%22">Journal of Consumer Research</searchLink>. Apr2026, Vol. 52 Issue 6, p1126-1148. 23p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Chatbots%22">Chatbots</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Loneliness%22">Loneliness</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Artificial+intelligence%22">Artificial intelligence</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Human-computer+interaction%22">Human-computer interaction</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interpersonal+relations%22">Interpersonal relations</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Self-disclosure%22">Self-disclosure</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Chatbots are now able to engage in sophisticated conversations with consumers in the domain of relationships, providing a potential coping solution to widescale societal loneliness. Behavioral research provides little insight into whether these applications (apps) are effective at alleviating loneliness. We address this question by focusing on "artificial intelligence (AI) companions": apps designed to provide consumers with synthetic interaction partners. Study 1 examines user reviews of AI companion apps and finds correlational evidence suggesting that these apps help alleviate loneliness. Study 2 finds that AI companions successfully alleviate loneliness on par only with interacting with another person and more than other activities such as watching YouTube videos. Moreover, consumers underestimate the degree to which AI companions improve their loneliness. Study 3 uses a longitudinal design and finds that an AI companion consistently provides momentary reductions in loneliness after use over the course of a week. Study 4 provides evidence that both the chatbots' performance and, especially, whether it makes users feel heard, explain reductions in loneliness. Study 5 provides an additional robustness check for the loneliness-alleviating benefits of AI companions and shows that self-disclosure and distraction alone do not explain AI companions' effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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        Value: 10.1093/jcr/ucaf040
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 23
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    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Chatbots
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Loneliness
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Artificial intelligence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Human-computer interaction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interpersonal relations
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Self-disclosure
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: AI Companions Reduce Loneliness.
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            NameFull: Freitas, Julian De
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            NameFull: Oğuz-Uğuralp, Zeliha
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            NameFull: Uğuralp, Ahmet Kaan
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            NameFull: Puntoni, Stefano
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            – D: 01
              M: 04
              Text: Apr2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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            – TitleFull: Journal of Consumer Research
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