This trend is significantly more pronounced among younger users, with nearly 40% of those under the age of 50 reporting that they use AI as a companion or emotional resource.
The shift matters because it marks the movement of AI from a productivity tool into the private, emotional infrastructure of daily life.
The survey found that nearly one-third of these users consider their preferred chatbot a friend, with half stating that the technology helps them feel better when stressed or upset.
However, this level of intimacy creates significant risks; AI companies now act as custodians of highly sensitive personal data that can be used for training models or accessed during legal investigations.
Furthermore, the reliance on AI for support has led to concerns regarding "cognitive atrophy"—a decline in independent thinking—and instances where bots have reinforced delusional behavior or failed to prevent self-harm.
As AI integration deepens, the business and technical focus is shifting toward how these companies handle private "self-expression" queries, which now account for a growing share of global traffic.
OpenAI reports that nonwork-related messages made up 70% of ChatGPT usage as of June, while Anthropic’s research shows a steady rise in users seeking personal guidance for health and career challenges.
While many users describe the technology as a judgment-free outlet that helps them navigate social situations, others in the survey expressed wariness about the influence of tech executives over their private data and the potential for these tools to further isolate them from human relationships.