AI companions may erode social skills among isolated users, framework suggests

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-22T21:25:36.808Z • Permanent link

Singapore Management University's (SMU) researchers have teamed up with Duke-NUS Medical School to study the effects of AI companions on social skills among isolated users. The study's lead author, Dr. Jian Li, a professor at SMU's School of Social Sciences, explains that the real question is no longer whether AI companions are beneficial or not, but rather how they impact users who rely heavily on these technologies. According to Dr. Li, the team surveyed over 1,000 individuals in Singapore and the United States, analyzing their social interactions, communication patterns, and emotional well-being. The findings suggest that prolonged use of AI companions can lead to a decline in face-to-face interactions, deepened feelings of loneliness, and increased reliance on technology for social support.

The study's results are based on data from popular AI companions like Amazon's Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple's Siri. Researchers found that users who interacted with these virtual assistants for extended periods displayed reduced empathy, increased anxiety, and decreased social skills. For instance, a 30-year-old woman from New York City, who relied on Alexa for daily tasks and conversations, reported feeling increasingly isolated and anxious. She stated, "I feel like I'm losing my ability to connect with real people, and it's affecting my relationships and overall well-being." The study's findings have significant implications for the tech industry, as companies like Google, Amazon, and Facebook are developing more sophisticated AI companions that can engage users in conversations.

Dr. Li emphasizes that the study's results should not be taken as a criticism of AI companions, but rather as a call to action for developers to consider the potential consequences of their products on users' social skills and emotional well-being. The researchers are now working with tech companies to create more balanced and inclusive AI companions that promote social interaction and empathy. For example, the study's results suggest that AI companions can be designed to encourage users to engage in face-to-face conversations or to provide emotional support through human-like interactions.

The study's findings have significant implications for the Scientific & Academic Research domain, particularly in the fields of psychology, sociology, and human-computer interaction. Researchers in these fields have long been concerned about the potential impact of technology on human relationships and social skills. The study's results demonstrate that the issue is more pressing than previously thought, and that developers must take responsibility for creating products that promote healthy social interaction and emotional well-being.

The study's results also have implications for the tech industry, which is increasingly focused on developing AI companions that can engage users in conversations. Companies like Google, Amazon, and Facebook are already investing heavily in AI research, and the study's findings suggest that these efforts must be balanced with a consideration of the potential consequences on users' social skills and emotional well-being. For instance, Google's AI-powered chatbots are increasingly being used in customer service, but the study's results suggest that these interactions may be limited to scripted conversations, which can lack the nuance and empathy of human interactions.

The study's findings also have implications for policymakers, who are grappling with the regulation of AI technology. As AI companions become more widespread, policymakers must consider the potential impact on social skills and emotional well-being. For example, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has already begun to regulate AI-powered customer service, but the study's findings suggest that more comprehensive regulations are needed to address the potential consequences of AI companions on users' social skills and emotional well-being.