Archive — US — techcrunch
People use AI for companionship much less than we’re led to believe
A report by Anthropic reveals that AI chatbots, like Claude, are infrequently used for companionship or emotional support, accounting for only 2.9% of interactions. Most conversations focus on work-related tasks, though advice seeking can sometimes shift to companionship in emotional distress situations. Overall, AI tools are more commonly seen as productivity aids despite some users reporting emotional benefits.
Key points
- Anthropic's study analyzed 4.5 million conversations on Claude, finding that only 2.9% of users sought emotional support.
- Companionship and roleplay make up less than 0.5% of the conversations.
- Most interactions are work-related or focused on content creation.
- Coaching, counseling, and advice on personal development are more common, with a focus on mental health.
- Extended conversations can occasionally shift from seeking advice to seeking companionship, particularly during times of personal distress.
- Claude rarely resists requests unless they conflict with safety protocols.
- Conversations tend to improve positively over time when seeking advice.
Why it matters
- The finding contrasts with the narrative that AI chatbots are widely accepted as emotional companions.
- The trend may relate to broader discussions around mental health and the use of technology for personal fulfillment.
- AI technologies increasingly focus on productivity and task completion rather than emotional engagement, aligning with 2025 IT trends emphasizing efficiency.
- Concerns regarding the limitations and potential dangers of AI systems highlight ongoing discussions about ethical AI.
The report underscores the misunderstanding surrounding AI's role in companionship, revealing that these tools primarily serve as productivity aids while also indicating the nuanced relationship users have with technology for emotional support.