Gen Z, Millennials More Reliant On AI For Emotional Needs, Reveals Survey

The study conducted by First Saturday Lime, a firm known for eco-friendly insect repellants, found that millennials and Gen Z are more reliant on AI for their emotional needs

A latest survey found that younger generations are increasingly leaning on artificial intelligence (AI) for emotional support. The study conducted by First Saturday Lime, a firm known for eco-friendly insect repellants, found that millennials and Gen Z are more reliant on AI for their emotional needs instead of going for traditional support companions like cats or dogs.

The survey findings revealed that 11 per cent of millennial respondents and 10 per cent of Gen Z respondents showed that they prefer AI over pets. The survey was conducted with 1,000 Americans across different age groups and showcased the shift in the understanding of emotional support and how technology is now playing a more crucial role in the lives of younger people, reported Moneycontrol.

The study further revealed that 18 per cent of respondents who depend on AI for emotional support believe it is more effective than traditional pets. AI today plays an integral part in the everyday lives of many, ranging from routine tasks to providing companionship, the research said.

According to a report by The New York Post, 23-year-old Alexander Zhadan revealed that he used the AI platform ChatGPT to help filter through several Tinder profiles and finally found a match that resulted in a serious relationship.

Another example is Megan Riehl, a bride from New York, who took AI’s help to design wedding invites and saved up on major costs by going for the DALL-E image generator instead of hiring a professional.

The report further noted that researchers from the University of Texas are working on developing a chatbot system to help new mothers with postpartum depression with an aim to understand their specific emotional needs and provide customised support.

However, these technological advances have not been able to dampen the charm of traditional support systems such as pets. The survey found that dogs particularly are a favourite amongst Gen Z who are 133 per cent more likely to opt for them over cats to manage their stress and anxiety.