Has anyone used AI chatbots as emotional support (friend/partner etc)?

[StudentAsking]

Hi everyone,

I'm working on a school project about how people use AI in their everyday lives, and I’d love to hear from anyone who’s interacted with AI chatbots in a more personal or emotional way.

Have you ever used an AI chatbot (like ChatGPT, Replika, or something similar) as a kind of friend, girlfriend/boyfriend, partner, or just someone to talk to? Maybe for emotional support, advice, or simply for companionship?

I'm really interested in how people are forming connections with AI – whether it's just for fun, for comfort, or even something deeper. If you're open to sharing your experience (confidentially of course), it would mean a lot and really help me with my project.

Thanks so much for reading, and I appreciate any stories or insights you're willing to share!

A boy in my daughter's form showed some school friends evidence of his new girlfriend. Then one of his friends told everyone that she was actually AI. The boys still aren't talking and the poor lad In Question will never live it down. They were 11 when this happened.

Apparently Laurie Anderson has conversations with AI using her dear departed's voice (Lou Reed) and says she finds it comforting.