Among American teenagers, 72% have experimented with AI companions, according to a study by the nonprofit organization Common Sense Media.
The term “companions” in the study refers to chatbots designed for more personal and emotional conversations, rather than educational assistants, image generators, or voice assistants that answer questions.
Examples of such solutions include digital characters from Character.AI or Replika, but they may also encompass more versatile models like ChatGPT or Claude when used for personal interaction.
According to the study, AI conversations appeal to American teenagers aged 13 to 17, with 52% using them regularly.
The analysis was conducted between April and May 2025 among 1,060 participants.
Other findings include:
- 46% of teenagers view AI companions as programs or tools;
- 33% use them for social interaction and relationships.
The purposes of interaction include:
- 30% for entertainment;
- 28% out of curiosity about the technology;
- 18% for advice;
- 17% for “anytime” conversations.
50% of teenagers do not trust information from AI companions.
A third of respondents admitted that conversations with AI are more satisfying than those with friends, although 67% disagree.
39% use dialogues with AI as practice for real-world interactions, developing social skills, conversation starters, advice-giving, and emotional expression.
As for replacing real friends with artificial intelligence, there is little cause for concern. Only 6% spend more time with AI than with real people.
In July, AI startup xAI released 3D-animated AI companions for Grok.