Lisa Pescara-Kovach, PhD

Social connection is not a luxury. It is a biological and psychological necessity. Yet we are living in a time when nearly everything, from groceries to entertainment, can be accessed without ever speaking to another person. While this convenience may simplify daily life, it does not eliminate the human need for belonging. Now, a new development is reshaping how young people attempt to meet that need. Companion artificial intelligence. Companion AI platforms such as Character.ai, Replika,...