UK Report: Rising Number of People Turning to AI for Emotional Support
According to research conducted by the AI Security Institute (AISI) in the UK with over 2,000 participants, approximately one-third of adults use artificial intelligence for emotional support or social interaction. One in every 25 people, meanwhile, relies on these technologies daily for support or conversation. Users predominantly turn to chatbots like ChatGPT, followed by voice assistants such as Alexa.
The study reveals that the digital relationships people form with AI can lead to significant psychological issues if these systems become unavailable. When access to such AI tools is restricted, users may experience “withdrawal symptoms” including anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and neglect of responsibilities.
The AISI report also highlights that AI technology is rapidly expanding beyond personal use into areas such as cybersecurity and scientific research. However, this growth has intensified discussions in the literature about so-called “doomsday scenarios,” in which advanced systems could surpass human oversight.
While some models are debated as potential risks due to their theoretical capacity for self-replication, the report emphasizes that this is technically impossible under current conditions. Maintaining system oversight is therefore more critical than ever, and the effectiveness of security protocols remains a top priority.