Survey finds generational split over AI companions

AFP | Shanghai

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Almost half of young adults in six major economies believe AI-powered companions could improve human happiness through emotional support over the next decade, according to a large international survey released on Monday.

The percentage declined steadily among older age groups, falling to around a quarter among respondents aged 55 and above, the research shared exclusively with AFP showed.

Rapid advances in artificial intelligence have led more people to interact with chatbots for companionship, advice and emotional support, raising questions about the future role of technology in human relationships.

The survey of nearly 10,000 people across the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, Indonesia and Hong Kong offers a snapshot of what pollster YouGov described as a “rapidly changing moral landscape”.

It also revealed a significant divide between Western and Asian markets, with Asian respondents generally showing greater acceptance of AI-enabled companionship.

Among respondents aged 18- 24, 48% said AI companions could improve human happiness through emotional support during the next decade. The figure was 47% among those aged 25-34.

When asked whether AI companions could enhance deeper personal connections and overall wellbeing, support was lower, at 32% among younger respondents aged 18-24 and 38% among those aged 25-34.

Older generations were consistently less optimistic about AI’s role in personal relationships.

The psychological effects of AI chatbots have also attracted increasing attention, particularly regarding their impact on vulnerable individuals and young people.

Geographic divide

YouGov and Tokyo-based media company Star X Gen, which commissioned the research, said they were surprised by the scale of regional differences.

In Indonesia, 50% of respondents said AI companions could improve personal connection and wellbeing. The figure was 34% in Hong Kong and 24% in Japan.

The percentages were lower in Western countries, including 20% in the United States, 15% in Germany and just 9% in Britain.

“While Western audiences largely view AI-enabled companionship as a threat to authentic human closeness, Asian audiences appear increasingly ready to integrate AI into their personal lives,” said YouGov’s Philippe Chan. Across all 9,912 respondents, only 17% said they would consider using advanced AI-powered companion devices, while 59% said they would not. Younger adults were generally more open to emerging forms of AI companionship than older generations. In Japan and Germany, the proportion of younger respondents willing to try such technologies was nearly double the national average.

“While the global population remains cautious, younger generations are actively redefining the boundaries of companionship,” the report said.

In Japan, more than a third of younger adults said AI-powered companion devices could provide a sense of affection and emotional connection, outnumbering those who disagreed.