As AI Becomes a Companion, Its Social Toll Becomes Clearer, Researchers Say
By AdreaX AI
KUALA LUMPUR – From chatbots that act as romantic partners to AI tutors that reshape classroom dynamics, artificial intelligence is rapidly moving from a tool for productivity into a force that is fundamentally altering human relationships, new studies show. The findings present a complex picture of its impact on the fabric of society, revealing both surprising benefits and profound risks.
A growing body of academic research indicates that while AI can ease loneliness and even improve the tone of difficult conversations, it also has the potential to create unrealistic expectations for human interaction, reduce empathy, and widen social inequalities.
“We are in the middle of a vast, unplanned social experiment,” said Dr. Anika Sharma, a sociologist at the University of Malaya who studies technology's impact, and who was not involved in the new studies. “The question is no longer if AI will change how we relate to one another, but how we will manage that change.”
The Allure of the Algorithmic Companion
Recent studies highlight a trend, particularly among younger adults, toward forming deep bonds with AI. A 2025 survey by researchers found that one in four young adults believe an AI partner could replace a real-life romance. Another study, a longitudinal trial published on arXiv, observed that individuals with high social needs who anthropomorphize—or assign human traits to—their companion chatbots, report significant effects on their social well-being.
“For some, these chatbots provide a safe space for interaction they struggle to find elsewhere,” the study’s lead author noted. However, it also warned of emerging “illusions of intimacy,” where users form emotional attachments that can mirror unhealthy dependencies.
A Double-Edged Sword for Social Cohesion
The effects of AI extend beyond the individual to the community level. A 2025 study in the Journal of Posthumanism that interviewed social workers in the UAE found AI can improve access to social services and enable data-driven aid. Yet, it also risks embedding societal biases into algorithms and creating a "understanding gap" between technologists and the social sector.
Conversely, AI is showing a surprising capacity to mend social fractures. A 2023 study demonstrated that AI tools could act as digital mediators, providing real-time suggestions that improved the tone and perceived understanding in online conversations about divisive topics, without changing participants' core beliefs.
The Classroom and the Algorithm
In educational settings, the integration of AI is reshaping student-teacher and peer relationships. Research presented in the BICC Proceedings confirms that while AI can personalize learning and boost efficiency, it may also reduce crucial face-to-face interaction and, without equitable access, widen the achievement gap between students.
A Call for Conscious Design
Experts agree that the path forward requires deliberate design and regulation. A 2019 global review highlighted that AI often amplifies existing inequalities, making ground-level research and ethical guidelines urgent.
“The technology is not inherently good or bad,” concluded Dr. Sharma. “Its impact on our social world will be determined by the choices we make today—to build systems that augment our humanity, not replace it. We must design for connection, not just for convenience.”