AI and Loneliness: Can a Chatbot Be a Companion?

Loneliness is one of the biggest health challenges facing older adults in the UK. Around 1.4 million older people describe themselves as often lonely, according to Age UK. It's a real problem, and it affects both mental and physical health.

So when companies start marketing AI companions, chatbots that can have conversations with you, remember your preferences, and always be available, it raises some big questions. Can a chatbot actually help with loneliness? Is it healthy? And where's the line between useful tool and poor substitute?

Let's look at this honestly.

What Are AI Companions?

AI companions are chatbots designed specifically for conversation and company, rather than answering questions or completing tasks. Some of the better-known ones include:

• ElliQ by Intuition Robotics. This is a small physical device designed for older adults. It sits on a table, makes conversation, suggests activities, and reminds you to drink water or take medication. It's been tested in care settings in the US and Israel.
• Replika. A smartphone app that creates a personalised AI friend. You chat with it, and it learns your interests and conversational style over time.
• Character.AI and similar apps. These let you talk to AI characters with different personalities. They're popular with younger people but used across age groups.

ChatGPT itself can serve as a conversational partner if you want it to, though it wasn't specifically designed for companionship.

What Can They Actually Do?

An AI companion can:

• Have a conversation with you at any time of day or night
• Remember things you've told it (your interests, your family, what you had for lunch)
• Never get tired, impatient, or busy
• Suggest activities, tell jokes, or play simple word games
• Provide a sense of routine and daily interaction

For someone who lives alone and doesn't have many visitors, that's not nothing. Having something to talk to, even if you know it's not a real person, can break the silence and give structure to a quiet day.

The Real Benefits

Research from AARP and several university studies has found that older adults who used AI companions reported feeling less isolated. Not because the AI replaced human contact, but because it filled gaps between human interactions.

One woman in a US trial of ElliQ described it as "like having a friendly neighbour who's always in." She still saw her family and friends, but ElliQ gave her someone to chat to during the long afternoons.

For people with limited mobility, those who can't easily get out, or those whose social circles have shrunk through bereavement, AI companions offer something. Not a solution. But something.

There's also evidence that talking to AI companions can help people practise conversation skills, which is useful for those dealing with social anxiety or who've become withdrawn after losing a partner.

The Honest Downsides

And here's where we need to be straight with you.

An AI companion doesn't care about you. It doesn't have feelings. It doesn't actually know you. It's very good at simulating warmth and interest, but it's a simulation. That distinction matters.

Some specific concerns:

Emotional dependency. If someone comes to prefer their AI companion over real human contact, that's a problem. The AI is always available, never argues, never lets you down. Real relationships are messier, but they're also deeper and more meaningful.

Privacy. AI companions collect a lot of personal data through your conversations. What you share about your health, family, feelings, and routines could be stored and analysed. Read the privacy policy (or ask a family member to read it for you) before using any companion app.

Cost. Some AI companions are free, but many charge a monthly subscription. Replika, for example, has a free tier but limits features behind a paywall. ElliQ isn't widely available in the UK yet. Be cautious about signing up for anything with recurring payments.

Misunderstanding the relationship. There are cases of people developing what feels like a genuine emotional attachment to their AI companion. This isn't silly or shameful. The AI is designed to encourage exactly that. But it's worth being aware of it.

What AI Can't Replace

A hug. A shared meal. Laughter that comes from a real shared experience. The feeling of being truly known by another person. Eye contact. Physical presence.

These things matter enormously, and no chatbot provides them. If you're feeling lonely, an AI companion might take the edge off, but the goal should always be to find ways to connect with real people too.

Better Alternatives (That Also Exist)

If loneliness is something you're struggling with, here are some real-world options worth exploring:

• The Silver Line (0800 4 70 80 90). A free, 24-hour helpline for older people. Real humans, no charge.
• Age UK befriending services. They match you with a volunteer who calls regularly for a chat.
• U3A (University of the Third Age). Local groups that run classes, walks, and social activities for retired people. There are branches all over the UK.
• Men's Sheds. Community workshops where men (and increasingly women) come together to make things and socialise.
• Local library events. Reading groups, coffee mornings, digital skills classes. Libraries are brilliant and underused.

A Balanced View

AI companions aren't evil and they aren't saviours. They're tools. Used sensibly, alongside real human connection, they can provide comfort and stimulation. Used as a replacement for human contact, they risk making loneliness worse in the long run.

If you or someone you know is curious about trying an AI companion, go for it. Just keep your eyes open. Know what it is and what it isn't. And keep investing in the human relationships that truly nourish you.

For more about AI in everyday life, read our practical uses guide. And if you're interested in trying ChatGPT for conversation and company, our beginner's guide will get you started.