One in five high school kids use AI for romance

Nineteen percent of high schoolers say that they or a friend have had a romantic relationship with an AI chatbot, the latest alarm bell in a slew of studies concerning teenagers and AI. The Center for Democracy & Technology says a majority of students have had a back-and-forth conversation with AI for a wide range of purposes, both academic and personal. More than 40% have turned to AI for relationship advice, mental health support, as a friend or to escape from life (such as pretending to be in a fantasy or virtual world). Nearly one-third of students say their personal use of AI is on a device provided by their school.