73% of respondents believe that chatbots and digital companions could serve as effective tools in combating loneliness and social isolation, according to data London Stock Exchange listed StreaksAI, a conversational AI platform.

The survey, which gathered responses from 300 people across the UK, has shed light on prevailing public sentiments towards AI chatbots.

The survey has shown a strong interest in three core uses of conversational AI – companionship, entertainment and personal assistance.

With 6-in-10 adolescents sometimes or often feeling they have ‘no-one to talk to’, and 7% of Britons saying they’re lonely ‘all the time’, StreaksAI believes that conversational AI is critical to solving an explosion of loneliness in the aftermath of the pandemic.

AI chatbots are built on real conversations, but unlike real people, they are endlessly patient. This allows people who are nervous of relationships to explore complex emotional scenarios in a safe space, making them more confident in the real world.

The survey showed a strong belief that AI can be an effective companion, with half of respondents saying they thought an AI companion would help build confidence in real life relationships. In addition to this, more than a quarter of respondents (26%) expressed a willingness to engage in intimate and emotional roleplay with chatbots.

For entertainment, nearly 70% of participants reported a keen interest in AI chatbots that embody well-known fictional characters from media sources like TV, books, or games.

AI allows a deep level of immersion into fictional works as users can ask AI replications of fictional characters – trained on the source material – all their most burning questions. Ever wondered what Juliet really thought of Romeo? Now you can ask.

Finally, the survey showed the potential demand for an AI personal assistant. A resounding 72% of respondents believe that AI chatbots can be helpful in their day-to-day with a majority (53%) saying the development of such technology will increase quality of life. This widespread optimism underlines the transformative role that this technology could play in people’s lives.

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StreaksAI’s CEO, Philip Blows, said: “Our data underscores the undeniable potential of AI across multiple verticals, but crucially in addressing one of society’s most pressing challenges, social isolation. AI is an endlessly patient companion which can provide support when we’re down and build confidence for both real-world romantic and platonic relationships.

“With the introduction of ‘Streaks Companion’, we’re pioneering a future where AI is not just a tool, but a friend, a mentor, and a reliable aide. We’re on the cusp of a new era, bridging the gap between technology and emotional well-being, and we’re excited to be at the forefront of this transformation.”