2 papers
cs.AI2026
AI emotional support is better only when chosen, but shifts preferences even when it is not
Yaoxi Shi, Cathy Mengying Fang, Guy LabanPattie Maes +1
People increasingly face a novel decision when seeking emotional support: human or AI. In existing studies, AI's empathic messages are rated as well as or better than humans'. But…
cs.AI2026
Stumbling Into AI Emotional Dependence: How Routine AI Interactions Reshape Human Connection
Yaoxi Shi, Cathy Mengying Fang, Pattie Maez +1
Public discourse and emerging policy typically assume that AI emotional support is a deliberate act: a lonely user consciously seeking comfort from a dedicated companion chatbot. I…