The Quest for Connection in AI Companions

Abstract

The article evaluates artificial intimacy technologies in light of the human quest for connection, drawing on theology, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and pastoral experience. While AI companions promise emotional support and social engagement, they often foster unhealthy attachments, reinforce delusional thinking, and exacerbate mental health struggles. While responsible AI use can support social skills and therapy, these benefits depend on proper technological design and human accompaniment. The article criticizes economic models that exploit users’ emotions and data for profit or power. It also emphasizes the importance of ethical design standards, especially to safeguard vulnerable individuals from manipulation and misleading anthropomorphism. It calls for compliance testing, real-time harm detection, and transparent feedback mechanisms to safeguard vulnerable users. The article also examines the spiritual implications of AI companionship and the risks entailed in deifying seemingly omniscient, omnipresent, and omnibenevolent systems. In response to these challenges, the Catholic Church’s sacramental life, communal structures, and emphasis on relational virtue offer a counterbalance to artificial intimacy. The article provides guidance to families, educators, employers, and governments on encouraging embodied experiences that support meaningful interpersonal relationships.