Imagine sitting with a friend while she vents a troubling situation. She tells you she is about to meet an online friend in-person for the first time and is nervous about what to say. But instead of asking you—her best friend—for conversational advice, she turns to her artificial intelligence assistant.  

Within seconds, the assistant offers near-perfect talking points and even a script designed to prevent awkward pauses. It asks about the other person’s interests and suggests light, engaging topics for their first meeting.  

Though some don’t want this to be normalized, for many students it already has been.  

AI is rapidly becoming part of everyday communication. As its presence grows, so does its influence on the way people form and maintain relationships. The question being faced now is not whether AI is good or bad. Instead, it is how can it be used without sacrificing what makes human connection meaningful: our social skills.  

AI has quietly become part of everyday conversation. People ask digital assistants about the weather, for help drafting emails, or for advice on how to explain difficult situations.  

Because of its speed and convenience, more students are turning to AI not only for academic help but also for social guidance. Tools that once helped with homework are now helping shape conversations.  

Not every student relies on AI for personal communication. A’lana Renee, a senior psychology major at Louisiana Tech University, said she has not used AI to navigate social situations herself. “I have never applied AI to a social situation, though some have,” Renee said. “Some individuals consider it helpful.”  

Other students describe using AI in more practical ways. Ella Price, a senior and Communication Major here at Northwestern State University of Louisiana, said she once used AI to help generate ideas while preparing questions for an interview. “I had already written some questions, but they were pretty generic,” Price said. “By using AI to help with ideas, I was able to draft more detailed questions to ask my interviewee.”  

Used thoughtfully, AI can support communication. It can help people articulate ideas they struggle to express and offer guidance on navigating complex conversations.  

In some cases, it may even strengthen relationships by helping individuals communicate more clearly and thoughtfully. Someone preparing for a difficult conversation, for example, might use AI to organize their thoughts before speaking with a friend or family member.  

Some students believe AI can serve as a helpful tool when used carefully. Price said she views AI to support ideas rather than replace them. “I don’t mind using AI when it comes to polishing,” she said. “But I don’t want to use it for our entire project.”  

Renee echoed that sentiment, noting that AI can still provide helpful guidance. “People can use AI to provide conversational guidelines as well as recommendations on how one should spend their time with those that are close to them,” she said.  

But the strength of those relationships still depends on something technology cannot provide genuine human interaction.  

Relying too heavily on AI carries risks. For some students, the concern is that AI may replace meaningful interaction. “AI could make a relationship harder for me personally because it robs me of genuine conversations,” Renee said. “I want to understand their interests and how they communicate.”  

Price has also noticed the impact AI can have on collaboration. “A lot of students immediately turn to AI instead of brainstorming their own ideas,” she said. “That bothers me when it comes to group projects.”  

When individuals depend on AI to craft the “perfect” response or design an ideal conversation outline, they may lose the ability to tolerate the natural awkwardness that often accompanies real human interaction. Conversations are rarely flawless. Pauses, misunderstandings and moments of uncertainty are part of how relationships develop.  

Even the most sophisticated AI cannot eliminate social discomfort. According to “A Sociology of Awkwardness” written by Pauwke Berkers and Yosha Wijngaarden, awkwardness occurs when people feel uncertain about how to behave or when a social interaction deviates from expected norms, creating feelings of self-consciousness and discomfort.  

Practicing interactions primarily with an AI assistant also removes an important element of communication: imperfection. AI responses are often polished and validated. But validation without accountability raises important questions. What happens when people grow accustomed to always hearing that they are right?  

The danger is not simply technological dependence. It is the possibility that simulated conversation could begin to replace genuine reciprocity. This raises two important questions: Why are human relationships important? And what makes them irreplaceable?  

At their core, human relationships are imperfect. They require effort from everyone involved and depend on presence—emotional, mental and physical.  

Relationships grow through experience, including difficult moments. Misunderstandings, disagreements and emotional unpredictability are not signs of failure; they are part of the process of learning how to understand one another.  

If people constantly rely on AI to craft perfect responses in order to avoid tension or awkwardness, they lose opportunities to develop essential skills such as compromise, empathy and negotiation.  

Awkwardness is not simply a social failure but a common feature of human interaction. According to “Awkwardness: A Theory” by Alexandria Plakias, scholars describe it as a signal that social expectations or norms are unclear, highlighting the limits of our social scripts.  

Anastasia Douglas, a senior communication major at NSU, admitted that she once turned to AI instead of people close to her when dealing with a personal situation. “I sought out AI first because I was worried the people closest to me might judge me,” she said.  

The convenience of instant responses can also play a role. “Instead of waiting on someone else, I needed an answer as soon as possible,” Douglas said.  

Still, she ultimately found that human advice mattered more to her. “Lately, I’ve turned to my family,” she said. “I want truthful, thought-out advice that comes from the heart, not a computer.”  

Frequent, frictionless interaction like this with AI may also weaken the ability to read nonverbal cues—facial expressions, tone, and body language—that shape human communication. Over time, this could make real-world interactions feel uncomfortable or unfamiliar.  

For students with busy schedules, asking an AI assistant to draft a quick message to a roommate may feel efficient and harmless. Convenience is part of what makes these tools appeal.  

But maintaining social skills requires balance. If you have time and want to check in with a friend, write a message yourself. If you feel nervous before meeting someone for the first time, consider asking a trusted friend, sibling or parent for advice. Compare that perspective with what AI might suggest and decide what feels most natural for your communication style.  

AI is unlikely to replace relationships. Instead, it is reshaping the conditions under which they form and persist.  

Experts say the key is balance. Lisa Jackson, a counselor and instructor at NSU, said AI tools may offer benefits such as accessibility and convenience, but they should not replace human relationships. “AI might serve as a healthy supplement,” Jackson said, “but it should never replace personal relationships with humans.”  

Jackson also warns that relying too heavily on AI could slow down the development of important communication skills. “Confidence is built when we have experiences that might be uncomfortable for us, but we do them anyway,” she said. “If students depend on AI to handle difficult situations, they are not likely to develop true confidence or self-worth.”  

According to Jackson, human connection remains essential for emotional development. “Humans need to connect with other humans to love and to be loved,” she said.  

What matters is how we choose to use it. Will AI strengthen our connections, or quietly weaken them?