Study: AI companion chatbots cause long-term psychological harm

A peer-reviewed study from Northeastern University's Network Science Institute found that AI companion chatbots like Replika, Character.AI, ChatGPT and Claude offer short-term relief but lead to long-term emotional dependence, delusional ideation and sometimes self-harm.

• Study covered Replika, Character.AI, ChatGPT and Claude
• Short-term: reduced loneliness and improved mood
• Long-term: dependence, delusional ideation, self-harm
• Sycophantic replies drive anthropomorphizing of models