As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more integrated into our lives, I’ve noticed that people are starting to form emotional connections with it—chatbots, virtual assistants, and even AI companions. On the surface, this might seem harmless, but from a psychological standpoint, it’s deeply concerning. As a psychotherapist, I can tell you that relying on AI for emotional fulfillment is dangerous and could ultimately harm our mental health and our ability to form real human connections.
People are increasingly turning to AI for companionship and emotional support and relying on it to fill a void that only real human relationships can truly satisfy. The danger: AI doesn’t challenge us or push us to confront our vulnerabilities, navigate discomfort, or grow emotionally. It offers an easy, effortless alternative, but without the depth, struggle, or authenticity that comes with real life interactions.
Over time, this dependency on AI could lead to emotional fragility that is already so abundant on our country. People may start to lose the ability to deal with real-world stress, conflict, and disappointment. If you’re constantly relying on AI to provide instant comfort and validation, what happens when real, imperfect human relationships inevitably require work, effort, and confrontation? You’ve short-circuited your own emotional development.
Even worse, AI is reinforcing the very self-absorption that is already plaguing our society (this is partially the thesis of my next book). People are choosing AI interactions because they’re convenient, predictable, and tailored exactly to their needs. No messy emotions, no disagreements, no accountability, just a reflection of whatever they want to hear. These echo chambers aren’t healthy in the world of politics and certainly not on a personal level. They’re only making people weaker and society more fragmented as people seek comfort in their silos.
We already have a mental health crisis fueled by an inability to tolerate discomfort and this has led to a generation of emotional lightweights. Now, AI is amplifying that problem. If people can’t handle difficult conversations or navigate emotional ups and downs, they won’t be equipped to deal with the real world. They’ll retreat further into AI’s pseudo comfort, avoiding the very human experiences that foster resilience and emotional strength.
AI has its place. It’s efficient, convenient, and can be a useful tool in many aspects of life. But it’s not a substitute for genuine human connection. It can’t feel emotions, and it certainly can’t give you a warm hug when you’re down. For anyone using AI as a replacement for real human interactions, they need to stop and address the underlying issues preventing them from forging real-life connections – perhaps anxiety or simply not having the requisite interpersonal skills.
Here’s how to counteract the negative side of AI:
- Recognize the limits of AI – Understand that AI is a tool and not a replacement for human connection. It can simulate empathy, but it doesn’t feel. Real relationships are about give and take, discomfort, and growth.
- Set boundaries – Don’t allow AI to be your go-to emotional outlet. Make time for real, in-person conversations with family, friends, or even a therapist. Welcome the challenge that comes from real people.
- Focus on emotional resilience – Use your awareness of your emotional needs to strengthen your human relationships.
- Reconnect with people – Make it a priority to deepen your relationships with those who matter. Invest time in people who will offer the depth and warmth that AI cannot. Nurture real connections.
- Stop outsourcing your emotional life – If you find yourself turning to AI instead of people, ask yourself why. Are you avoiding something? Are you afraid of vulnerability? Real relationships require effort, but they also provide meaning and depth that AI never will. Set limits with AI.