Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Companionship: A Psychological Review and Future Directions

Abstract

As generative artificial intelligence (AI) and chatbots (e.g., Replika and Character.ai) have increasingly developed with more advanced technology, more individuals were forming virtual companionship with artificial agents. While virtual AI companions have helped reducing loneliness, improving well-being, and providing emotional support, discussions were also ongoing about the ethical risks of using AI as a companion such as data privacy, overdependence, and commodification of relationships. Generally, this review investigated AI companion phenomenon and demonstrated the effects with both positive and negative psychological implications, analysing current existing research gaps along with possible future directions. This review aimed to provide a psychological perspective for understanding companionship and relationships with AI systems, thereby helping to further improve the interdisciplinary studies of virtual companions, offering potential reference for social and ethical criteria when managing companion AI chatbots. It was found that AI companions could simultaneously fulfil emotional and social needs while introducing new forms of psychological vulnerability, which indicated the importance of responsible design and further regulation in future AI development.