General · 30 January 2026
1 in 3 adults use AI for support, teens prefer chats.
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