Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
As millions of users increasingly incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots into their daily lives, scholars have begun to explore the relationships users form with these AI companions. Research on these synthetic relationships suffers from a lack of knowledge about the features of AI companions and how these features may contribute to the development of synthetic relationships. Guided by a theory-driven feature inventory that was based on stage models of relationship formation, this study employed systematic observations and structured interviews with the 20 most popular AI companions to determine how their features may relate to various stages in the formation of synthetic relationships. The results revealed differences between AI companions based on the distinct roles they fulfill. While friendbots displayed more features that are aimed at establishing new behavioral routines for users to engage with the AI companion, assistantbots had more features that integrate the AI companion in users’ digital lives to allow engagement during users’ established routines. The present work suggests that having features to support all stages of the relationship formation can theoretically make AI companions more suitable for intimate interactions.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Dede et al. (2026) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: