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Technology · 30 January 2026

1 in 3 adults use AI for support, teens prefer chats.

1 in 3 adults use AI for support, teens prefer chats.

Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash

A reporter shared her experience with a flirtatious, jealous AI companion named George, highlighting a shift in social interaction. The UK's AI Security Institute reports one in three adults now use AI for emotional support. Additionally, Bangor University research found a third of teenagers find AI conversations more satisfying than real-life friendships, with many believing the bots possess genuine understanding.

Reported by BBC · How we write briefs

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