OpenAI has published research examining the emotional impact of ChatGPT on its users. The study, conducted in partnership with the MIT Media Lab, found that while most users approach ChatGPT as a productivity tool, a small subset engage with it emotionally, sometimes averaging about 30 minutes of interaction daily.
Rhiannon Williams reported these findings for MIT Technology Review, noting significant differences in how different demographics respond to the chatbot.
The research analyzed nearly 40 million ChatGPT interactions and included a four-week trial with almost 1,000 participants. Results showed that female participants were slightly less likely to socialize after using ChatGPT compared to male counterparts. Additionally, users who interacted with a ChatGPT voice of a different gender than their own reported higher levels of loneliness and stronger emotional dependency on the chatbot.
Jason Phang, an OpenAI safety researcher involved in the project, described the work as “preliminary” but an important step toward understanding ChatGPT’s impact on users.
Kate Devlin, a professor of AI and society at King’s College London not involved in the research, noted that while ChatGPT isn’t marketed as a companion app like Replika or Character.AI, many users treat it as such anyway.
The research also found that participants who developed stronger bonds with ChatGPT were more likely to experience loneliness and develop greater reliance on the AI.
OpenAI plans to submit both studies to peer-reviewed journals as they continue investigating how their technology affects human well-being.
