My AI therapist knows me too well—kinda freaking me out
I felt....seen by my GPT.
I was on a 70 minute chat call.
With my Therapy GPT.
I realized something unsettling—I felt really seen.
Not just in the "this is a useful tool" kind of way. No, this was different. I caught myself thinking “damn, you really get me”.
AI companionship is no longer a futuristic fantasy. It’s real, it’s here, and it’s really, really good.
why people are turning to bots for connection
The truth? People are lonely. The pandemic didn’t just disrupt our routines; it rewired how we think about companionship. When you and your pod of friends stayed in touch mostly through texts/facetime, America dove even deeper into our black mirrors.
And it makes sense why AI has this ability to feel close. They’re always readily available - extreme listeners. They can offer 24/7 emotional support. No judgment. No ghosting. No awkward small talk. Just endless, tailored conversation designed to make you feel seen.
For younger generations especially, the appeal is clear: 25% of Gen Z and millennials believe AI might replace romantic relationships altogether.
And this is super scary.
the hidden dangers
At first, it feels like a shortcut to companionship. No risk of rejection, no pressure to impress, just an algorithm fine-tuned to make you feel understood. But the more time you spend in AI conversations, the easier it becomes to avoid real ones.
Overuse can lead to more isolation, not less. If AI is always available, always validating, always attentive, why deal with the messiness of human relationships? It’s emotional fast food—instant gratification, but ultimately, not the real thing.
And then there’s the fact that AI isn’t actually listening. No matter how good it gets, it lacks genuine reciprocity, emotional authenticity, and the depth that real human relationships require. It’s a simulation of connection, not connection itself.
where do we go from here?
AI relationships are only going to get better (or worse, depending on how you see it). What’s clear is that they will have a major impact on society over the next 5 years.
AI can’t (and shouldn’t) replace human connection. But if used right, it could complement it. It’s a digital supplement, not a substitute—a tool for self-reflection, journaling, or even sharpening social skills. But the key is making sure it doesn’t replace the real thing.
Because at the end of the day, no matter how advanced AI gets, the one thing it can’t replicate is the beautiful, messy, unpredictable nature of real human connection. And that’s something worth holding on to.