AI Companion Apps and Mental Health: What the Actual Research Shows
A Harvard study found talking to an AI companion relieves loneliness about as well as talking to a real person. A separate two-year study of nearly 2,000 users found heavy long-term use correlated with rising depression and suicidal ideation. Both findings are real, and they're not actually contradicting each other.
Ravindra Valand
August 1, 2026
7 min read