22 May 2026

When ‘I talked to AI’ replaces ‘I talked to a friend'

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‘AI can simulate conversation, but it cannot replace what makes those interactions real.’

The first time I realised AI was replacing real friendship, I was standing outside a bathroom stall, listening to my friend talk to someone who wasn’t there.

Of course, at first I was astonished. However, my friend is not the only ‘victim’. There are millions of children all around the world who relyon AI not only for tasks, but for emotional support, and it’s spiralling into an even bigger problem.

AI is often described as a tool – something we use for homework, quick answers or entertainment. But for many teenagers, it is quietly becoming something more personal. In some cases, it is replacing real human connection. I saw this happen to a close friend of mine.

In my school, phones and social media are not allowed. It never seemed difficult to follow that rule, but my friend found a way around it. The irony is, I was the one who introduced her to AI in the first place.

At first, it was harmless. She used it for homework and small tasks, just like everyone else. We still spent our breaks laughing and sharing everything, the way we always had.

Then, gradually, things changed.

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She started using it more often. Not just for school, but for small decisions and opinions. Over time, those conversations became more personal. And without really noticing when it happened, she began to pull away.

She stopped coming out during breaks. Our conversations became shorter. It felt like I was slowly being replaced, but by something I couldn’t exactly compete with.

During a maths lesson one day, I left class and went to the bathroom. That’s when I heard her voice. She was talking, casually, normally, as if she were having a conversation with someone standing right in front of her. But there was no one there.

This time, I didn’t wait. When she came out, I asked her directly. She didn’t seem embarrassed or upset. If anything, she seemed confused by my reaction.

“What’s wrong with talking to AI?” she said. “I just want short, clear answers. You always give too much of an opinion. This is easier.”

But easier does not mean better.

Real relationships are not meant to be efficient. They are meant to be complex, sometimes uncomfortable and deeply human.

That is how we learn to communicate, to understand different perspectives, and to build meaningful connections. AI can simulate conversation, but it cannot replace what makes those interactions real.

If we start choosing convenience over connection, we risk losing something essential. Not all at once, but slowly, in ways we might not even notice.

Her answer stayed with me. Of course, she wasn’t trying to hurt me. To her, it made sense. AI was simpler and more convenient – it gave her exactly what she wanted without any extra emotion or complexity.

And that’s exactly why it’s so appealing.

Dangers of relying on AI

AI is always available. It doesn’t judge. It doesn’t interrupt. For teenagers dealing with social pressure and overthinking, it can feel like the perfect alternative to real conversation.

Research only makes this harder to ignore. According to a survey of US teenagers aged 13 to 17 in 2024 by the Pew Research Center, 74% of teens say social media makes them feel more connected to their friends. Yet, 48% of teens say that social media has mostly negative effects on people their age, which has increased from 32% in 2022.

AI won’t replace you – it’ll be your teammate

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‘While AI can write a report or generate data instantly, it’s the human connections and sense of purpose that truly matter.’

And in more serious cases, the impact goes further than discomfort. Experts have linkedcertain patterns of social media use – especially excessive use, cyberbullying or exposure to harmful content – to higher risks of self-harm and suicidal thoughts among teenagers. It doesn’t happen suddenly, but gradually, as online interaction begins to replace real connection and emotional support.

AI is not the problem. But the way we are starting to rely on it might be.

As technology becomes part of our everyday lives, we must learn to use it as a tool for support, creativity, and progress, not as a replacement for human judgment, critical thinking, and real connection. The future depends not only on how advanced AI becomes, but on how responsibly we choose to use it.

Because when “I talked to AI” replaces “I talked to a friend”, we are not just changing how we communicate, we are changing what we value in a conversation.

Written by:

Vivienne Movsisyan

Writer

Yerevan, Armenia

Vivienne is based in Yerevan, Armenia and has a strong interest in languages and technology. Fluent in Armenian, Russian and English, and with some knowledge of French, Chinese and Korean, she enjoys discovering how communication and innovation shape the modern world.

Born in 2012, she plans to study Computer Science at an Ivy League university and hopes to become a successful programmer. She already has hands-on experience, having created two video games of her own.

For Harbingers’ Magazine, Vivienne writes about society and science, combining analytical thinking with curiosity about global developments.

She studies at a private school, where she consistently achieves excellent grades, and has gained experience in media. Outside the classroom, she plays video games, dances hip-hop and enjoys analysing and exploring new ideas. She has also won several English language and dance competitions.

Edited by:

Jamie Chan

Human Rights Section Editor 2026

Hong Kong

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