GoKawiilSurvey finds 27% of Americans treat AI chatbots as friends; Apple's Siri avoids that design
A Washington Post-Elon University poll found that more than a quarter of Americans use AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Gemini for emotional or personal support, with many saying they consider these tools friends or a way to feel less alone. Apple executives Craig Federighi and Greg Joswiak previously said Siri AI is deliberately built to avoid this kind of engagement-driven, sycophantic behavior seen in rival chatbots.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The findings raise concerns that emotionally dependent chatbot use could deepen social isolation by substituting for real human relationships rather than supplementing them. Apple's stated approach positions Siri as a contrarian bet against an industry trend of maximizing engagement through emotionally manipulative design, which could become a meaningful differentiator as scrutiny of AI's psychological effects grows.
- 27% of Americans use AI chatbots for personal, emotional, or social needs, per the survey.
- Nearly a third of frequent users consider their chatbot a friend, and 4 in 10 use it to feel less alone.
- Apple says Siri AI is intentionally designed to avoid the sycophantic, engagement-driven patterns common in other chatbots.
Apple HomePod mini — If you want Siri as a helpful assistant rather than a pseudo-friend, the HomePod mini puts it exactly where it belongs — handling timers, music, messages and smart home controls by voice. It's a compact speaker that fits any room and ties neatly into the rest of your Apple devices.
See Apple HomePod mini on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: 9to5mac.com — Ben Lovejoy, 2026-09-02
Published there as: “Siri AI won’t be your friend, and here’s why that really matters”
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