The concept of a ‘discount rate’ helps to explain why humans prioritize what feels good or easy now even when it leads to ...

AI companions like ElliQ and Sunny are helping older adults reduce loneliness, support independence, and boost cognitive ...

AI models intended to provide companionship for humans are on the rise. People are already frequently developing relationships with chatbots, seeking not just a personal assistant but a source of ...

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) It is not just individual lives that are at risk. Democracy requires the capacity to ...

Lenovo brought some adorable AI concepts to MWC 2026 -- one of which you'll actually be able to buy soon. Katie is a UK-based news reporter and features writer. Officially, she is CNET's European ...

Parents are starting to ask us questions about artificial intelligence. Not about homework help or writing tools, but about emotional attachment. More specifically, about AI companions that talk, ...

Interacting with an AI companion like you would a trusted friend may not seem intriguing to a parent, but researchers have found that kids are engaging with these entities at alarming rates. In fact, ...

AI bots promise limitless companionship – but limits are what makes human relationships meaningful, a philosopher argues.

M AKING A FRIEND is defined by the other person’s strangeness. A friend is not simply “someone who is nice to you,” because ...