Health expert warns of leaning too heavily on AI for social connections

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AI and Social Connections: A Health Expert’s Warning

As AI-driven companions become more popular—serving as virtual friends or romantic partners—experts are raising concerns about their impact on real-life relationships and social skills.

Kasley Killam, author of The Art and Science of Connection: Why Social Health Is the Missing Key to Living Longer, Healthier, and Happier, acknowledges that AI may offer some benefits in practicing social interactions. However, she emphasizes that it should enhance—not replace—human relationships.

Speaking at SXSW in Austin, the Harvard School of Public Health graduate expressed skepticism about AI’s ability to improve people’s social skills. She noted that while AI companies often market their companions as tools for practicing conversations, this should not substitute real-world interactions.

"I want to see a society where people feel comfortable engaging with others in person," Killam said. "If we teach and practice social skills in schools and real-life settings, they naturally become part of how we navigate life."

The Growing Trend of AI Companions

During her research, Killam found that "hundreds of millions" of people were already using AI for companionship—whether as a friend, partner, spouse, or significant other.

This trend is reflected in data from Appfigures, which reported a 652% increase in revenue for AI companion apps in 2024, reaching $55 million in consumer spending. The U.S. led this market, accounting for 30.5% of total spending.

Killam admitted feeling conflicted about this shift. "On one hand, I worry that we’ve created a culture where people feel the need to turn to AI for companionship. That’s concerning," she said. "On the other hand, if AI is an addition to real-life relationships, maybe it can be beneficial."

She acknowledged that tools like ChatGPT could be useful in certain contexts but advised that AI should be just one component of a broader "social health portfolio."

"One of the core principles of social health is diversity in social connections—you don’t just interact with a romantic partner. You have friends, co-workers, casual interactions with baristas, and more," she explained. "If AI is one of many sources of socialization, I’m open to that. But when it becomes the only or primary source, that’s a problem."

The Bigger Picture: AI, Loneliness, and Modern Social Habits

Killam also addressed broader issues where technology intersects with social health, including the rise of loneliness, the culture of "busyness," and how people use social media or entertainment as a distraction instead of engaging with others.

She encouraged small shifts in behavior, such as calling or texting a friend instead of automatically reaching for a screen in moments of downtime.

As AI continues to evolve, experts like Killam stress the importance of maintaining real-world relationships and ensuring technology complements, rather than replaces, human connection.