Background: 

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, Replika, and other conversational systems are increasingly used by young people not just for information but also for emotional support and companionship. However, this is both an underresearched and underregulated area of AI use. 

In the context of young men (18-24) being less likely to utilise traditional wellbeing services, alongside rising concerns about men's mental health, male loneliness, and a ‘Manosphere culture’, researching whether young men are turning to AI instead of humans to meet emotional needs is a particularly pressing research area. 

Methodology: 

This project will produce the first online survey, aimed at young men (18-25) in the UK, investigating how AI is used for emotional support and connection. 

Using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, the results of the survey will be analysed to answer the following: 

• Is AI-based emotional support perceived as positive or helpful? 
• What are the potential consequences of these interactions on young people's well-being? 
• How do these interactions impact relationships with other humans? 
• How do they affect willingness to seek offline social support? 

Outputs and objectives: 

1. Creating the first measure of AI emotional use styles. 

Existing research in this field has focused on if, rather than how, AI is used for emotional support; therefore, this project will seek to create the first distinct categories of AI emotional support use. 

2. Producing a research report and poster to communicate key findings from the survey. 

3. Creating a public-facing blog post, targeting young people, to help educate on this topic. 

Ultimately, this project aims to improve understanding of how AI and emotional support increasingly intersect for young adults. I am looking forward to commencing this research and exploring its findings.