Technology · 29 October 2025
How Chatbots Became the New Shoulder to Lean On
A new wave of AI companions is reshaping how people seek comfort and connection. Powered by advanced language models, chatbots now hold long, empathetic conversations that feel personal — a lifeline for those facing loneliness or anxiety. Researchers at the Ada Lovelace Institute say users value the bots’ calm, judgment-free replies, but warn of growing emotional dependence. As artificial empathy evolves faster than regulation, the question isn’t whether AI can listen — it’s whether we’ll forget to listen to each other.
Reported by Ada Lovelace Institute · How we write briefs