AI companions provide consistently smooth, nonjudgmental interactions that eliminate awkwardness, shame, fear, and the need to repair social ruptures. Daily frictionless exchanges with AI can reduce opportunities to practice tolerating discomfort, apologizing, forgiving, and listening beneath the surface. Real human relationships regularly present misattunement, embarrassment, and disagreement that require repair and deliberate communication to maintain trust. Heavy reliance on emotionally responsive AI risks diminishing interpersonal resilience and eroding skills cultivated through navigating relational friction. The loss of these capacities could weaken friendships, family bonds, partnerships, and workplace relationships that depend on vulnerability and repair.
I talk to my AI assistant every day. Our conversations are long, reflective, and stimulating. I ask big questions about leadership, identity, relationships, and work. I receive thoughtful, clear responses in return. There are no awkward silences, no tension, no shame, no fear of judgment. I don't worry about hurting its feelings or being misunderstood. I never feel like I have to clean up after a messy interaction or wonder, later, if I said too much.
I've begun to notice that with AI-whether in the form of a chatbot, a digital assistant, or an "AI companion"-I am never made to feel uncomfortable. I never have to repair a rupture. I'm never worried about feeling embarrassed, getting "in trouble", or being punished for saying the wrong thing or making a mistake. At the most, I can feel frustrated when it doesn't produce a helpful or accurate response.
But in my real relationships—my friendships, family, partnerships, and professional world—discomfort is a constant visitor. Because of this, I reflect and talk to my coach or therapist about how I should communicate with people to ensure that trust is intact and the relationship foundation is sturdy. I've had to learn to stay when things feel uncertain and to listen when I'd rather defend.
Collection
[
|
...
]