GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - More than 70% of teens are turning to AI for friendships, according to a new survey , prompting mental health experts to issue warnings about the potential risks of artificial companions.

Tech companies are creating AI companions for anyone seeking emotional connections. These digital friends can take the form of celebrity voices like John Cena or Kristen Bell, act as companions when users feel lonely, or even serve as romantic partners.

Two mental health experts expressed concerns about the trend’s impact on human development and relationships.

Experts worry about automated interactions

“It’s an extension of the experiment we have been running the last 10 to 15 years, which is to automate all interaction through this digital interface,” Dr. John Del

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