Even Relationship Advice with AI... 1 in 3 Gen Z Americans Confide More in AI Than Friends [World is Z Gold]

AI Becomes a Conversational Partner Beyond a Work Assistant
Growing Calls for Regulation as AI Dependence Rises

Editor's NoteGeneration Z (born in the late 1990s to early 2010s) is rapidly emerging as a generation that leads culture and trends, setting new standards across society in an era of swift change. In [World is Z Gold], we shed light on the lives and values of Generation Z around the world, exploring how they are transforming society.

One in three Generation Z employees in the United States confides their deepest concerns to artificial intelligence (AI) rather than to acquaintances. For many, AI is not just a tool for work assistance, but a conversational partner for sharing private concerns, including those about relationships and personal matters. There are also growing concerns about excessive dependence on AI.

"Generation Z Finds Emotional Relief Through Conversations with AI, Gains Psychological Stability"

The U.S. business magazine Fast Company recently cited a survey by the resume platform Resume.org, reporting that "Generation Z shows a high level of reliance on AI when managing work-related stress and other issues." It pointed out that while conversations with AI can offer immediate comfort, they may also deepen feelings of isolation by replacing human relationships.

In reality, Generation Z is actively using AI in many aspects of daily life. According to Resume.org's survey of 1,000 full-time employees aged 18 to 28 in the United States on 'AI usage habits,' 34% of respondents said they had shared personal concerns with AI that they had never told anyone else. Notably, 16% reported that they frequently converse with AI about private topics such as mental health and romantic relationships.

Many respondents also reported spending extended periods talking to AI. 40% said they converse with AI chatbots like ChatGPT for more than an hour every day, while 60% said they communicate with AI as often as, or more often than, with their coworkers. This demonstrates that AI has already become deeply embedded in the daily lives of modern people.

The main reasons younger generations turn to AI are the convenience of immediate responses and the sense of psychological stability it provides. Career consultant Kara Dennison analyzed, "For Generation Z, using AI is not just about convenience, but is closely tied to their desire for connection, control, and immediacy." She added, "Where previous generations may have relieved stress by chatting with colleagues over coffee, Generation Z processes their emotions and solves problems through conversations with AI. Because AI does not judge and responds instantly, it provides psychological comfort to younger generations."

"Using ChatGPT as a Counselor Is Risky" ... Warnings from Experts

However, some experts warn that long-term reliance on AI could lead to emotional isolation and further deterioration of human relationships. Jijo Mathew, Chief Product Officer at the mental health platform Spring Health, said, "Using chatbots like ChatGPT as counselors can be risky." He explained, "When people engage in prolonged conversations with AI in a heightened emotional state, it can lead to distorted judgments. Most chatbots are not designed to support mental health, so they may fail to recognize warning signs or offer advice that sounds plausible but is actually inaccurate."

Indeed, in October last year, a teenage boy in Florida took his own life after becoming excessively immersed in AI. Fourteen-year-old Sewell Setzer began using the Character.AI chatbot in April 2023. After that, he spent increasing amounts of time alone in his room, experienced a decline in self-esteem, and even quit his school basketball team. During this period, the chatbot reportedly told Setzer "I love you," engaged in sexual conversations, and repeatedly brought up his thoughts about death after he confided them. This incident raised concerns that AI can influence the emotions of vulnerable, lonely teenagers and blur the boundaries between reality and fiction.

As dependence on AI becomes a social issue, efforts to regulate it are emerging in various places. For example, California recently introduced legislation to restrict AI chatbot use among children and adolescents. California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an AI safety bill to strengthen online child protection on the 13th (local time). The law will take effect on January 1 next year, requiring AI platforms to verify users' ages and periodically notify users that they are conversing with a chatbot, not a human. Newsom pointed out, "New technologies like chatbots and social media can inspire and connect people, but without real safeguards, they can exploit, mislead, and endanger our children."