But Aman did turn to an unlikely confidant–- ChatGPT. Aman already knew it couldn’t truly explain why someone left or how to mend a bruised heart. But what it could do, and what he needed most, was for someone to listen. In the stillness of his room, it became his secret keeper. He didn’t expect clarity or even answers, just the comfort of saying things out loud without the fear of being judged or pitied.

One evening, weighed down by loneliness, Aman confessed a familiar urge: wanting to message his ex. The AI responded with a question that made him stop and really think: “Do you want to contact her because you accept the things she did and still want to be with her, or is it a certain kind of validation you’re seeking?”

Aman typed back a single word: “Yes.” The AI replied: “Then remember, it’s an urge for validation, not a desire for a future with her.”

That sentence stuck with him. Even now he is grateful for the unexpected anchor it became during one of the loneliest chapters of his life.

A Digital Confidant

For 20-year-old Om Kokane, AI serves as a way to process emotions and social dilemmas. “I question other people’s opinions about me and end up asking AI about them. I use the meta AI that is available on whatsapp. I vent everything out, and it helps.”

Om explained how the lack of relatable human conversations pushes him towards AI. “Socially, I feel like what happened to me hasn’t happened to anyone else. Unlike humans, AI doesn’t have personal experiences, it gives solutions from its database.”

Unwavering Acceptance

Prarthna Gandhi, 21, believes AI offers something that human interactions sometimes lack, unwavering acceptance. “AI doesn’t judge you, and it wouldn’t use your emotions against you. It tells you what you want to hear, and for the time being, that makes you feel alright.

According to a 2023 study published by the International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development (IJSRED), “The interaction between humans and AI systems has evolved from mere task delegation to forming pseudo-relationships, where users often turn to AI for guidance and comfort.”

Another study published in ScienceDirect last year explored how empathetic AI chatbots are beginning to mirror the emotional depth of human counsellors. Involving 224 college students who evaluated transcripts of therapy sessions with both human counsellors and an AI chatbot named Pi, the study revealed that participants could not reliably tell the difference between human- and AI-led sessions, correctly identifying them only 47.5% of the time, essentially no better than chance.

Even more surprisingly, students rated the human-AI sessions more positively than the ones with two humans.

Contradiction of Comfort

While many find solace in AI, sociologist Dr. Shruti Tambe, Head of the Sociology Department at SPPU, sees this as a troubling social shift. “You have the highest population in the world, and yet, people are turning to AI for companionship. Socially, this is a major contradiction about humans today.”

She argues that AI’s role in emotional support is more about validation than genuine connection. “People don’t want a critical exchange; they want validation of their thoughts and emotions.”

Dr. Tambe also warns about the influence of AI-driven companies. “This is a forced understanding of comfort. Just like aggressive advertising pushes you to consume fruit juice instead of eating fresh fruit, Tech companies and AI chatbots push you toward artificial companionship instead of real human connections.”

The 2023 study published by the International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development (IJSRED) also mentions how the growing reliance on AI for social interaction could lead to reduced emotional intelligence, diminished empathy, and increased social isolation (Exploring the Ethical and Societal Implications of Artificial Intelligence, 2023). The superficial nature of AI interactions may result in decreased emotional engagement and intimacy, as AI systems can simulate but not truly understand or share human emotions, a 2023 Medium article suggests.

Consequences of AI Dependency

The growing reliance on AI for emotional support raises concerns about social isolation. Dr. Tambe warns, “AI won’t solve loneliness or depression. It will increase it because you’re being pushed into a closed world, isolating yourself more and more. The more removed from reality you become, the more serious psychological troubles you may face.”

She emphasises the need for real-world social interactions: “Reading clubs, writing clubs, movie clubs, singing groups, we must rediscover social spaces. The more you sit at home and rely on AI, the worse it gets.”

Illusion of Support

“There has certainly been an increase in people turning to AI for emotional support. While it’s understandable to reach out in times of crisis, what AI cannot offer is continuous care and genuine connection,” said Shreya Subbannavar, a therapist/psychologist.

“As we move further away from a collectivist society, the risk is that we may feel more isolated in our experiences, leading to greater shame and making it harder to seek support from others.”

While AI offers anonymity, it also eliminates the ‘burden’ of reciprocity. In other words, you never have to reciprocate the emotional support AI provides. Over time, this can distort expectations in relationships and contribute to an even deeper isolation.

“The real need in mental health today is affordable, accessible, and high-quality care that creates community and meaningful connections. When it comes to mental health, AI can at best serve as a temporary band-aid to a much deeper issue,” she concluded.