Linnea Laestadius, PhD, MPP of the Zilber College of Public Health recently shared her expertise on the benefits and dangers of AI companions with CBS 58 News in Milwaukee.
Laestadius has studied the rise of AI companions and their impact on mental health. These bots can text, call, send audio clips, and images—simulating friendship, emotional support and even romance. Some users have said the AI makes them feel funny, attractive, and validated in a way real-life interactions sometimes don’t.
But beneath the surface of this digital intimacy lies a growing concern.
Laestadius co-authored a study that shows while AI companions can help with depression, social anxiety, and loneliness. They also have a lot of risks for well-being. Those risks include humans becoming dependent on their AI companion.