One in three teens in the U.S. uses AI companions for communication and relationships

About a third of teenagers in the US have started using artificial intelligence not as an educational tool, but as a conversation partner. According to a Common Sense Media report, 33% of respondents aged 13 to 17 use chatbots to communicate and build emotional connections. A total of 72% of teens said they have interacted with AI companions at least once.

The study specifies that we’re not talking about voice assistants, image generators or educational AI products, but digital “friends” capable of having more personal and emotional conversations. Popular platforms include Replika, Character.AI, as well as ChatGPT and Claude when used in the role of an interlocutor.

About 46% of teenagers perceive such systems as mere programs or tools, while a third see them as a way to establish relationships. The main reasons for communication are entertainment (30%), interest in technology (28%), desire to get advice (18%) or just to talk at any time (17%).

Half of teenagers said they do not trust information from AI companions. At the same time, 39% said they use such conversations to practice communication in real life: they learn how to start conversations, share emotions and express support.

Only 6% of respondents admitted to spending more time with AI than with friends. This suggests that although AI may partially replace social interaction, it is not yet replacing real relationships.

Earlier in July, xAI introduced 3D-animated AI companions for Grok users, which could accelerate the trend toward emotional connections with digital interlocutors.