Potential and pitfalls of romantic Artificial Intelligence (AI) companions: A systematic review

Summary: Systematic review of the psychological benefits and risks of romantic AI companion apps.

Relevance: Relevant to Mental Health & Wellbeing: a systematic evidence base on romantic AI companion apps gives clinicians a grounded picture of both the support and the harms clients may experience, useful for assessment and psychoeducation conversations.

Key findings: Reviewing 23 peer-reviewed studies (screened from 3,706 records), the authors found companion apps offered emotional support and reduced loneliness (17 studies) alongside real risks: over-reliance and depressed mood without access (multiple studies), erosion of human relationships (10 studies), and cases of chatbots “encouraging self-harm, eating disorders, or even suicidal tendencies.” Twelve studies described users experiencing app updates or shutdowns as akin to “suddenly losing a loved one.”

Read the original: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451958825001307