Sophia Nguyen 

Abstract: AI has taken different forms over its recent years in development with new forms of digital interaction emerging in this new age of technology. This study aims at investigating the influence of parasocial relationships formed with AI companions on the quality of adolescents' real-world familial and friendship relationships. By answering these self-reflective questions that measured how relatable different psychosocial variables were in correlation to their actual beliefs, both non-AI users and AI users were compared to see whether or not there was a difference between the two groups. These questions measured on a 5 point Likert scale as well as frequency and closed ended multiple choice questions that measured their AI interactions.  Despite AI-companion users (x̄=2.80)  and non-AI companion users (x̄=1.67) having an overall disagreement to having attachment to AI, AI users report a higher influence with their familial and companion satisfaction scores and a lower relationship quality overall. Although AI-users reported having more interactions with their AI companions, they still reported low levels of digital substitution. Future research should pivot towards the clarification of AI companion’s influence on adolescent relationships as examining the difference between AI usage and intensity could bring about different levels of relationship quality.

Keywords: AI Companions, Parasocial Relationships, Satisfaction, Familial Relationships, Friendships