AI is quietly becoming an unofficial and potentially unwanted 'third' in relationships
A cyberpsychology researcher and personal anecdotes suggest that over-reliance on AI chatbots for emotional support can negatively impact human relationship dynamics. Experts warn that using AI to navigate interpersonal conflicts may hinder empathy and communication skills.
Why it matters
As AI integration into daily life increases, understanding its psychological impact on human intimacy and social skills is becoming a critical area of concern.
A cyberpsychology researcher said that relying too heavily on AI can weaken the skills needed for human relationships. gorodenkoff/Getty Images A writer in Texas said her boyfriend's AI use made her feel like she was dating him and "the robot." AI chatbots are being used for emotional support, but venting about a relationship comes with risks. Relying too heavily on AI could hinder empathy and communication in human relationships. Lindsey Hall, a writer based in Texas, suspected the man she was seeing was using AI. Uncertain about where things were going, she asked him outright what made him want to be with her. "You're fun, smart, pretty," she summed up his response. "The way it was written was so cold and so formal and so ChatGPT. I just remember being so turned off by that."
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