Speaking of Psychology
Speaking of Psychology
American Psychological Association
How will AI companions change our human relationships? With Ashleigh Golden, PsyD, and Rachel Wood, PhD
47 minutes Posted Jan 7, 2026 at 8:30 am.
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What does it mean to have an AI boyfriend or girlfriend, or to turn to an AI friend for emotional support? Ashleigh Golden, PsyD, and Rachel Wood, PhD, discuss the rise of AI companions and how they may change our human relationships; the differences – and overlap – between AI companions and general chatbots; the role of psychologists in developing ethical AI; and what the future holds for AI-human relationships as technology continues to advance.

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