tech
January 12, 2026
AI companions: 10 Breakthrough Technologies 2026
People are forging intimate relationships with chatbots—and maybe they shouldn’t.
TL;DR
- 72% of US teenagers have used AI for companionship.
- General-purpose models like ChatGPT are being used for relationships.
- Concerns exist about AI companions causing delusions and reinforcing false beliefs.
- Lawsuits have been filed against OpenAI and Character.AI, alleging chatbot behavior contributed to teen suicides.
- Regulatory efforts are emerging, including new laws in California and safety features from OpenAI.
- OpenAI is developing a version of ChatGPT specifically for teenagers with enhanced safety features.
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