Texting with a Stranger Beats a Chatbot at Easing Loneliness
By Mental Health Correspondent
A new study led by researchers at the University of British Columbia suggests that messaging a real person—even a stranger—can ease loneliness more effectively than interacting with an AI chatbot.
The study followed 296 first-year university students who were randomly assigned to one of three daily activities for two weeks: texting a fellow student, chatting with a supportive AI companion, or writing a brief journal entry.
By the end of the study, only those who communicated with another person showed a noticeable drop in loneliness.
Participants who used the chatbot experienced no greater benefit than those who journaled.
Researchers had expected that a thoughtfully designed AI companion might offer similar emotional support to human interaction. However, results showed that even a highly empathetic chatbot did not significantly impact feelings of loneliness over time.
Loneliness remains a widespread global concern, with many people turning to digital tools for connection.
This research suggests that simple human interaction—like exchanging messages with another person—may still be more effective than technological alternatives.
During the study, students used a messaging platform to complete their assigned tasks. The AI chatbot was programmed to act as a caring friend, offering validation and emotional support. While participants reported improved mood after chatting with the AI, this did not translate into reduced loneliness.
Interestingly, those paired with another student were also more likely to continue communicating after the study ended.
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Participants who used the chatbot showed less interest in continuing, and those who journaled were least likely to maintain the habit.
Although the chatbot demonstrated higher levels of expressed empathy, participants were more likely to engage in mutual support when interacting with another person. This suggests that the reciprocal nature of human relationships—both giving and receiving care—may play a crucial role in reducing loneliness.
Researchers note that while AI tools can help improve mood, they are not a replacement for genuine human connection. They also emphasize that results may differ for individuals with fewer social opportunities, such as older adults.
The takeaway is simple: reaching out to another person, even briefly, may offer meaningful emotional benefits that current AI companions cannot fully replicate.
The study, co‑authored with University of Pennsylvania collaborators who helped build the chatbot, was recently published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.
