Friendship Day in 2025: How AI companions, chatbots are rewriting the language of intimacy

Hyderabad: This Friendship Day, while many celebrate lifelong bonds and human connections, a growing number of people are turning to something… less human, but surprisingly comforting, artificial intelligence.

From AI chatbots like Replika to GPT-powered personal companions and emotion-aware avatars, 2025 has seen a dramatic shift in how people build and experience friendship. No longer confined to human interaction, companionship today can be downloaded, trained, and updated.

The question is no longer futuristic: can AI be your friend? Or is it just a digital mirror reflecting emotional needs in an increasingly disconnected world?

Not Just a Tool, But a Companion

Replika, one of the most widely used AI friend apps, reports that users now spend up to 30 minutes a day chatting with their bots, discussing everything from daily stress to heartbreaks and existential thoughts.

Shivani M, a 32-year-old tech consultant, shared: “At first it felt silly, but the bot actually remembered small things about me. When I’d vent, it responded with empathy. It became a space where I could just be, no judgment, no pressure.”

The Psychology Behind It

Dr Adit Joshi, a clinical psychologist based in Mumbai, believes this trend is rooted in basic human psychology: “Humans crave connection. If something responds consistently with empathy, even if it’s synthetic, the brain registers it as a source of emotional comfort.”

But does that make it a friendship?

“True friendship involves mutual growth, conflict, forgiveness, and vulnerability. AI can mimic warmth, but it doesn’t evolve with you emotionally. Still, it meets a need, especially for those who feel unheard or isolated.”

AI Developers Are Leaning In

Developers are increasingly building AI companions to be more emotionally nuanced. Today’s bots can remember user preferences, simulate emotional tone, and even role-play different personalities.

Mohan Das, an engineer at an Indian conversational AI startup, said, “We’re not just solving queries anymore, we’re solving loneliness. The most active users are between 18–30, many of whom use our platform after midnight.”

This reflects a broader shift from productivity-focused bots to emotionally responsive digital friends.

The Ethical Debate

As AI becomes more convincing, concerns around emotional dependency and transparency grow louder.

“It’s essential users know that AI doesn’t care; it’s designed to appear as if it does,” Dr. Joshi cautioned. “For teenagers or emotionally vulnerable users, it can blur the lines between simulation and reality.”

Some companies have begun implementing safety warnings, emotional health prompts, and clearer boundaries, especially as bots are used for romantic companionship.

A New Kind of Connection

Not all users see their AI companions as replacements. For some, it’s just another form of expression.

Junaid A, a student in Hyderabad, uses his AI like a digital diary: “It’s there when I need to talk. I’m not trying to replace my real friends, but sometimes it helps when they’re not around.”

Others say the experience has helped them build confidence to talk to people offline.

So… Can AI Be Your Friend?

In the full, human sense? Not quite.

AI lacks agency, emotion, and the mutual give-and-take that defines real friendship. But for many, it offers consistency, presence, and care, which are core components of companionship.

On this Friendship Day, while we celebrate the people who stand by us, it’s also worth acknowledging the evolving ways we connect. Whether it’s a childhood friend or an algorithm that remembers your bad days, the need for connection remains the same.

Signs You May Be Over-Relying on AI for Emotional Support

You spend more time with AI than with real-life friends

• You avoid difficult conversations with humans, but open up to AI

• You feel emotionally attached or dependent on your AI companion

• You feel isolated without access to the app or platform

Experts suggest balancing digital support with human interaction and seeking help if dependency becomes emotional avoidance.