A systematic review titled “Parasocial relationships with artificial intelligence (AI): A systematic review of benefits and risks” by SMU Associate Professor of Psychology Andree Hartanto and SMU postgraduate students and researchers Hung Jing Wen, Charlotte Lee, and Sandeeshwara Kasturiratna, published in Computers in Human Behaviour: Artificial Humans, identified benefits of AI companionship including emotional support, social needs fulfilment, enjoyment, personal development and community participation. The same review warned of risks such as emotional dependence, displacement of human relationships, privacy and data exploitation, commercial persuasion and compulsive use.
Read more about the review here.