Thousands of Britons are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) for companionship amid a growing loneliness crisis. A report by the Institute for Public Policy Research found that nearly 930,000 people in the UK have used the Character.AI digital chatbot app, with many more using other apps like Replika. Users can create their own chatbots and give them personalities, including ones marketed as “boyfriends” or “partners”. However, experts warn that relying on AI for emotional support can come with risks, such as addiction and long-term psychological impacts, particularly for young people.
Source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/02/07/thousands-of-britons-dating-chatbots-amid-surge-loneliness