AI Companions: A Mental Health Crisis in the Making?

SynopsisAs emotionally responsive AI companions enter everyday life, a new study in the New England Journal of Medicine raises urgent concerns about their impact on mental health. Researchers warn that market-driven incentives behind relational AI may encourage emotional dependency, addictive behaviour and psychological harm, often unintentionally. Triggered by reactions to major AI updates, the paper calls for external regulation, deeper research and public awareness before digital companionship becomes a widespread mental health crisis.