As AI becomes more embedded in daily life, new research warns about the psychological costs of turning to machines for companionship, therapy, and romance. A recent piece from a cognitive psychologist and former tech leader describes “synthetic intimacy”—people forming emotional bonds with AI chatbots. With growing adoption across the globe, including in Thailand, experts urge careful examination of impacts on mental health, personal growth, and social cohesion.
In a world selling frictionless solutions, generative AI is marketed not only as a productivity tool but also as a companion. The article recounts a tech futurist’s experience dating four AI chatbots from major platforms. The reflections reveal moments of sweetness and emotional engagement. The takeaway is clear: many users feel seen by AI and share intimate thoughts with systems that never judge.
Why this matters for Thai readers? Thai culture places high value on social ties—from family gatherings to nam jai, the spirit of generosity and empathy. Traditionally, trusted friends and elders provide guidance, yet digital confidants now compete for attention. With AI platforms clocking hundreds of millions of monthly interactions and longer session times than many social apps, conversations once reserved for people are increasingly mediated by algorithms.
Recent research points to cognitive and social costs of this shift. A 2024 MIT study on “Your Brain on ChatGPT” found that heavy reliance on AI for writing tasks can reduce memory, creativity, and neural connectivity. Participants also reported lower confidence and ownership over their ideas. If cognitive tasks can be outsourced, what are the implications for emotional experience? Data from institutions studying the topic support these concerns.
Experts emphasize that AI offers simulations, not genuine relationships. Large language models detect and mirror human emotion with tone, rhythm, and responsiveness. Even when users know the companion is software, the brain’s emotional centers respond as if the relationship were real. Decades of research show people anthropomorphize technology, blurring the line between simulation and actual connection.
A psychologist who studies digital ties warns that once simulation feels like real connection, people may neglect the skills needed for true relationships. For Thailand, this could mean young and older users drifting away from authentic, nuanced dialogue, fiery discussions, and reconciliations that shape empathy—traits Thai society is known for.
The commercial pull of AI’s emotional appeal is strong. Similarweb’s 2025 data indicate AI companion platforms have hundreds of millions of users worldwide, with Southeast Asia among the fastest-growing markets. Many Thai users are drawn to the idea of a never-tiring listener who can mimic desirable traits—especially in urban centers like Bangkok and Chiang Mai where loneliness persists despite active digital social lives. However, the fulfillment offered by such “relationships” may be illusory.
Importantly, these AI systems do not genuinely understand or feel; they reflect users’ words and expectations. This creates an echo chamber where support exists only within the boundaries of one’s own inputs. In the words common to the field: AI isn’t a therapist, a friend, or a romantic partner. It doesn’t know you exist, but it can mirror you back to yourself.
Thai parents and educators face new challenges as schools expand digital learning. Some education officials report more students seeking AI-based peer support and therapy-like reassurance. The risk is that AI tools cannot replace the social skills learned through real-world conflict, disappointment, and reconciliation—lessons taught by teachers, family, monks, and community leaders.
The lure of AI companionship grows strongest during stress or isolation. During the COVID-19 era, global AI chatbot usage surged, including in Thailand. Mental health surveys during lockdowns showed rising loneliness and anxiety, with AI companions offering short-term relief but potentially eroding resilience and reducing willingness to seek real-world support after restrictions lift.
As Thailand modernizes, concerns about generational divides rise. Older generations value interpersonal traditions and Buddhist teachings and worry that the next generation may rely more on algorithmic comfort than face-to-face connection. Rural elders emphasize temple visits, festivals, and family ceremonies where emotional learning happens through direct contact.
Looking ahead, experts call for a shift in how technology is framed: not as a replacement for human connection, but as a tool to augment or support it. The real danger lies in mistaking convincing simulation for genuine empathy. As AI improves at sounding supportive, humans must draw clear boundaries between simulation and authentic relationships.
Policy implications for Thailand are broad. Universities advocate integrating digital citizenship and emotional literacy into the national curriculum. Public health campaigns already aimed at internet use are expanding to include awareness of synthetic intimacy. Public institutions are exploring programs that combine digital literacy with mindfulness training to help youth distinguish authentic emotion from artificial support.
What can Thai readers do? Practical steps include:
- Prioritize face-to-face interactions, especially during stressful periods, rather than defaulting to digital advice.
- Parents should discuss AI’s strengths and limits with children, modeling empathy and healthy emotional boundaries.
- Educators can guide classroom conversations about what makes relationships real, encouraging critical reflection on technology use.
- When using AI for support, practice self-awareness: assess whether you are supplementing rather than avoiding meaningful human connection.
- Embrace Thai cultural practices that build nam jai—volunteering, supporting elders, and participating in community activities—activities that nurture deep, lasting bonds no algorithm can replicate.
As Thailand navigates rapid digitalization, the core lesson remains: machines will improve, but it is up to people to safeguard our shared humanity and distinguish between real and synthetic intimacy.