"Who is your best friend?" I asked my 10 year old brother, expecting him to name a classmate or perhaps a favourite cousin but his answer shook me when he said "ChatGPT". I was stunned not just because he knew about AI, but because he spoke of it with the warmth that we usually use to describe real human bonds.

For many Gen Z individuals, AI chatbots like ChatGPT have become more than just tools. They have become their companions. Because these platforms offer immediate responses, users can vent, ask for help, or have conversations without worrying about being judged. Their availability 24/7 and the lack of societal pressures that come with interpersonal relationships are what make these platforms appealing.

AI as an emotional support

A study by Joi AI found that 83% of Gen Z respondents believe they can form a meaningful emotional connection with an AI chatbot, and 80% would consider marrying one if it were legal. The phenomenon known as the "Tamagotchi effect" where individuals develop emotional attachments to machines, illustrates the potential for AI to blur the lines between reality and simulation.

Kat Woods, a 35-year old digital nomad, shared her experience:

ChatGPT has become the most effective therapist I’ve used, surpassing over ten human therapists I had tried in the past.

The integration of AI into mental health support is particularly significant for Gen Z. Platforms like Wysa and Earkick offer AI-driven conversations aimed at helping users manage stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges.

Shrey, a 23 year old associate auditor in Bengaluru, asked:

Hey, ChatGPT, am I funny?

This sentiment reflects a broader trend among Gen Z, who value the non-judgmental nature of AI chatbots.

AI in the Realm of Dating and Relationships

Beyond companionship, AI chatbots are increasingly serving as relationship advisors by offering dating advice. survey by the relationship app Paired revealed that 15% of Gen Z have used AI to plan dates, and 12% have sought relationship advice from these digital assistants.

As highlighted by Elle India:

AI doesn’t side-eye you when you admit you went through that guy’s following end-to-end or accidentally liked a photo from 2017.

AI as a Personal Fashion Stylist

Generation Z in India is embracing artificial intelligence as a personal fashion stylist as well. For instance, platforms like YesPlz.AI utilize computer vision to tag product catalogues, ensuring fresh and relevant outfit suggestions that align with users' unique styles.

Platforms like OneOff allow users to search for outfits styled after public figures, offering both exact matches and inspired alternatives because Gen Z cares more about what their favourite celebrities and creators are wearing than any one brand. Indian startups like Stylumia and Fashor are pioneering AI solutions in fashion.

Myntra, for example, introduced 'My Stylist', an AI-driven tool that provide instant fashion advice and product suggestions. Raghu Krishnananda, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Myntra, said:

Accessible through the Myntra app, it’s a pioneering feature in the Indian fashion tech e-commerce ecosystem.

Notably, 'My Stylist' has become the most used feature on the Myntra app, with an engagement rate of over 65%.

Honestly, these evolutions in the field of AI industry made me understand that in a world full of noise, if a calm, non-judgmental, always-available AI can make someone feel heard, seen and understood, then that’s something worth embracing. But still, I believe that our future is not completely dependent on AI, rather, it can't be because at the end of the day, we are human. And as humans, we don’t just adopt technology, we also decide how to live with it, and more importantly, how to grow along with it.

That said, I just hope Gen Z finds more real friends, human friends, because no matter how smart AI gets, it can never replicate the warmth of a genuine connection. Blood and flesh will always mean more than wires and electricity.

#GenZ #AI #MentalHealth #Chatbots #DigitalCompanions