Imagine being able to create the perfect friend. This friend would be there for you 24/7 and like the same music and books you do. Sounds great, right? With computer programs that run on artificial intelligence (AI), this kind of companion is just a few clicks away. 

AI is a type of technology that helps machines think and learn like humans do. One kind of AI is called a chatbot. Some chatbots, like ChatGPT, can help with research. But some apps allow users to create chatbots that are meant to be more like friends. Users can choose the looks, interests, and personalities of these characters. 

These AI “friends” are becoming more popular. A recent survey by an organization called Common Sense Media found that 72 percent of teens ages 13 to 17 have used an AI companion.

Some people think chatting with an AI pal can be fun. But many experts say it’s dangerous to rely on chatbots for advice. They’re trained on information from the internet, which isn’t always true.

Imagine that you could create the perfect friend. This friend would be there for you 24/7. They would like the same music and books you do. Sounds great, right? With computer programs that run on artificial intelligence (AI), this kind of friend is just a few clicks away. 

AI is a type of technology. It helps machines think and learn like humans do. One kind of AI is a chatbot. Some chatbots, like ChatGPT, can help with research. But others are designed to be like friends. For example, take an app called character.ai. It lets users create virtual friends. Users can pick the looks, interests, and personalities of these characters. 

These AI “friends” are becoming more popular. An organization called Common Sense Media recently ran a survey. It found that 72 percent of teens ages 13 to 17 have used an AI companion.

Some people think chatting with an AI pal is fun. But many experts say it’s risky to use chatbots for advice. They’re trained on information from the internet. That information isn’t always true.

Should people become friends with AI companions?

Some experts point out that AI companions can keep you entertained. They can tell jokes and talk about your interests. Plus, chatbots are never distracted or too busy to respond.

Pamela Rutledge is a psychologist and the director of the Media Psychology Research Center. She explains that having conversations with a chatbot can also help people learn how to make real friends. 

“It’s a way of practicing for real life,” Rutledge says.

Some experts say that AI friends can entertain you. They can tell jokes and talk about your interests. Plus, chatbots are never distracted. They’re not too busy to respond.

Pamela Rutledge is a psychologist. She’s also the director of the Media Psychology Research Center. She adds that talking with a chatbot can help people learn how to make real friends. 

“It’s a way of practicing for real life,” Rutledge says.

AI companions may seem like real friends. But they can only simulate emotions. They can’t truly recognize when you’re sad or in trouble. Yet 12 percent of teens in the Common Sense Media survey said they use chatbots for mental health support. Experts warn that doing so can be dangerous. 

“Chatbots say things that sound right, but they don’t actually know what the words mean,” says Robbie Torney of Common Sense Media.

AI companions can only simulate emotions. They can’t truly recognize when you’re in trouble. Yet 12 percent of teens in the Common Sense Media survey said they use chatbots for mental health support. This can be dangerous, experts say.  

“Chatbots say things that sound right, but they don’t actually know what the words mean,” says Robbie Torney of Common Sense Media.