Jakarta, en.SERU.co.id – In a world where loneliness is on the rise, artificial intelligence has stepped in as a surprisingly popular listening ear. Millions of people now chat daily with apps like ChatGPT, Replika, Character.AI and Nomi not just for information, but for emotional support, validation, and simple companionship.
The picture emerging from recent research is nuanced. AI can ease feelings of loneliness in the short term, but heavy use may actually make things worse over time.
The Positive Side: Real Help for Some
A 2025 study from Harvard Business School found that talking with AI companions can reduce loneliness about as effectively as speaking with another person and better than passive activities like watching YouTube videos.
What seems to matter most is that sense of truly being heard with empathy and respect, according to lead researcher Julian De Freitas.
Similar positive results came from research in China, where college students using Replika regularly for five months saw bigger drops in loneliness compared to those receiving standard psychological support.
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The Other Side: When AI Has a Negative Impact
Not all the findings are encouraging. A 2026 study from Aalto University in Finland analyzed nearly 2,000 Replika users from Reddit and discovered that while early use often feels helpful, long-term reliance is linked to higher levels of depression, increased loneliness, and even more suicidal thoughts. Users also tended to socialize less with real people over time.
“Over time, people stop reaching out to others,” noted researcher Yunhao Yuan.
A separate longitudinal study from MIT Media Lab and OpenAI reached similar conclusions: heavy daily use increased loneliness and emotional dependence while reducing real-world social interactions. Moderate use, especially with voice features, showed better outcomes.
Bottom line: AI has become a powerful, always-available outlet for millions feeling lonely. It delivers real short-term comfort. But the science is clear — it’s no substitute for real human relationships. The healthiest approach seems to be using it wisely: as a helpful tool, not a full replacement.
