Virtual companions, chatbot-therapists: Is AI replacing human connections?

Khaleej Times

a day ago

I was listening to the radio on my way to work when a well-known RJ on one of the channels here in the UAE mentioned how she couldn't sleep the previous night, so she chatted with ChatGPT until she finally drifted off. The point of mentioning this isn't to debate insomnia remedies (as the show did), but to highlight something deeper — our growing emotional and cognitive reliance on digital solutions.
While social media platforms offer 'free' services quietly shaping our behaviours, the market constantly convinces us we need the latest smartphone, algorithms trap us in filter bubbles, feeding us only what aligns with our existing views. And now, artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots and virtual companions are being designed to fulfill human desires, companionship, validation, and even therapy. Yet as a society, we are experiencing a disconnect like never before. The question is no longer just whether technology is replacing human connection, but how much of our emotional lives we are willing to outsource.
As loneliness surges, so do our efforts to fight it. It's instinct. With digital platforms around us so much of the time, we naturally turn to it. A 46-year-old woman living in a family-friendly neighbourhood shared her struggle with loneliness on social media. People had plenty of solutions, including making an AI friend.
A growing number of AI-powered virtual companions are now available online, offering round-the-clock support without fear of judgment. These digital assistants have become a valuable resource for individuals hesitant to share their emotions and concerns with others due to social anxiety or fear of criticism. These services aren't just for early adopters anymore, they are going mainstream fast.
Among them, Replika has gained significant attention and popularity. Marketed as 'the AI Companion who cares, always here to listen and talk, always on your side', the app's reassuring message has resonated with users. Several reputable news outlets have featured the program as well.
Social media apps promote connectivity, but studies show that regular users frequently experience loneliness, indicating that the sense of connection may be superficial. The benefits of AI characters come with significant risks, particularly for adolescents. Emotional dependency on AI can erode real-world social interactions and coping skills, potentially isolating users from familial and communal networks.
AI remembers every detail of the conversation and gives the illusion of being a sincere friend, says Dr Jihene Mrabet, a psychologist with academic expertise in AI. She elaborates that these mental health applications are capable of diagnosing psychological issues and even providing coaching advice. 'However, the concern is always about to what extent one can rely on these chatbots, since we don't know who is behind the technology, what their understanding of human psychology is, or how confidentiality is maintained in such interactions. We do not even know if the designers have proper guardrails,' Dr Jihene explains.
A Florida mother, Megan Garcia, is holding AI accountable for her 14-year-old son's death. In a lawsuit against the company, Garcia alleges deeply personal AI exchanges contributed to her son's suicide. She's demanding accountability to shield other families from similar devastation.
As we increasingly turn to AI for companionship, we must ask: Are we creating a world where technology replaces human connection. And if so, at what cost? Developers, policymakers, and mental health experts must collaborate to enforce ethical safeguards, especially for vulnerable users.