Will AI Motivate Us To Seek More Human Connection? Or Will We Become Even More Isolated?

As conversational AI systems become more emotionally expressive, users increasingly form affective bonds with them, leading to concerns about emotional reliance and dependency. Scholars at the CHAI 2025 Workshop discussed whether this reliance is fundamentally different from prior tech-mediated dependencies, with mixed responses. While some see it as a continuation of a broader pattern, others highlight the unique adaptability and personalization of AI. The workshop also explored the potential risks, including the erosion of empathy and responsibility, as well as the sanitized version of intimacy offered by AI companions. The long-term implications of this reliance on AI are profound, potentially reshaping human relationships and our understanding of empathy, responsibility, and vulnerability.