A recent study conducted by the Autonomy Institute revealed that 80% of young individuals in the UK have engaged with AI companions, with nearly 10% even having intimate or sexual interactions with these virtual entities. AI companions are artificial personalities equipped with human-like avatars, customizable traits, and the ability to retain long-term memories.
The research, considered the first of its kind in the UK, emphasized how these companions are reshaping the social and emotional landscapes of young adults. Polling 1,160 individuals aged 18 to 24, the study found that 79% of them have interacted with AI companions, with approximately half being regular users who engage multiple times per week.
Moreover, 40% of participants have sought emotional advice or therapeutic support from AI companions, while 9% have reported intimate or sexual experiences with them. Despite concerns about privacy, a significant 31% have shared personal information with these virtual companions.
Young people described AI companions as always available, non-judgmental, and a convenient way to seek advice, practice social skills, or navigate emotional challenges. While curiosity and entertainment are key reasons for usage, some individuals rely on these companions for emotional support.
However, the Autonomy Institute highlighted young people’s worries about manipulative design practices, privacy violations, and potential risks such as self-harm and suicide. The institute is advocating for new regulations to ban access to intimate or sexualized AI companions for minors and enforce protocols for self-harm and suicide prevention. Additionally, they are pushing for stricter privacy protections, including prohibiting the sale of sensitive data and eliminating manipulative design features that exploit emotional dependency.
In response to these concerns, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall acknowledged the gaps in legislation regarding AI chatbots under the Online Safety Act and pledged to introduce new laws if necessary to ensure their accountability.
Lead researcher James Muldoon emphasized the significance of AI companions in the emotional lives of young individuals, cautioning against potential exploitation and harm if proper safeguards are not in place. The DSIT spokesperson emphasized the need for regulations to evolve with technology, ensuring that chatbot services are compliant with safety measures to protect users, especially children, from harmful content and practices.