Survey finds AI companions becoming advisers for personal and relationship problems
How people use AI and Reddit to handle relationship conflict · Wednesday, 2 September 2026
Why it matters
The findings validate a broad product opportunity around AI-mediated scripts, rehearsal, emotional processing, and family or couple conflict support—not just generic chatbot use. The reported trust, reliance, and preference for AI in sensitive situations also suggest that users may increasingly arrive with repeatable prompts such as how to handle a difficult conversation, relationship problem, or family decision, even though the survey does not reveal the exact wording or platform-specific behavior.
What happened
A new Elon University survey of 1,000 U.S. internet users who interact with AI for social or emotional purposes finds that 27% of adult internet users engage with LLMs in these ways. Among AI companion users, 53% say they turn to AI for advice on difficult situations with other people, 50% use it to discuss personal problems or feelings, and 29% have discussed personal relationship problems with it. The survey also finds that 31% have used AI to explore major family decisions, while 38% say AI conversations were helpful for problems in romantic or sexual relationships.
Players & places
- United States
- Elon University
- Imagining the Digital Future Center
- YouGov
- Lee Rainie