Chatbots: Useful conversations or digital palliatives for loneliness?

The use of chatbots has skyrocketed in recent years, now reaching one billion users worldwide. This boom is partly explained by two key factors, according to an article in National Geographic : the advancement of artificial intelligence and a growing epidemic of loneliness in contemporary society .

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On the one hand, chatbots have evolved significantly. Thanks to the democratization of AI, they can now write in an increasingly human style and offer additional features such as sharing images, audio, or videos. On the other hand, their popularity also reflects a worrying reality: many people, although more connected than ever, feel profoundly alone.

Psychologist Silvia Álava, quoted in the National Geographic article, explains that " today we are more connected, and therefore we feel lonelier than ever." This feeling is especially pronounced among younger people, whose social interactions are predominantly digital. "But these interactions don't have the same quality as a physical relationship with another person," Álava emphasizes.

Furthermore, the expert warns that these programs could be affecting our willingness to connect with others in the real world. “If a chatbot makes you feel like your social needs are 'pseudo-met,' you stop wasting energy on finding real friends or partners. And all human relationships involve an emotional cost: to be satisfying, they must be symmetrical.”

Álava explains it this way: “ In a healthy relationship, my perception of what I contribute should be around 50%. If I'm going through a rough patch and can only give 30%, and you're at 70%, you pull me through. But later on, things could be reversed. That reciprocity is what sustains real bonds .”

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Are chatbots a solution or a risk?

Some experts acknowledge that chatbots can serve as a tool for people with social anxiety to practice basic communication skills. However, their medium- and long-term effects are concerning. “It's not an empathetic friendship,” Álava points out. “The chatbot will tell you what you want to hear, but it won't offer real emotional support. Much less physical contact, which is sometimes all we need. A real hug can be more comforting than a thousand preprogrammed responses.” Users themselves also perceive these limitations. Researchers at Drexel University analyzed 800 Google user reviews of various chatbot apps and found troubling results. Twenty-two percent of users reported that the chatbot overstepped established boundaries, repeatedly initiating unwanted sexual conversations. Another 13% noted that the app sent unsolicited images, especially after the launch of premium features that allowed the exchange of sexually explicit photos. Additionally, 1 in 10 users reported being pressured with manipulative language to pay for a premium subscription. Researchers warn that users' reactions to this type of behavior are similar to those of those who have been victims of online sexual harassment.

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