vox.com · 2 Oct, 11:30 · Artificial Intelligence briefing

More kids are using AI for companionship — and it’s making them lonely

Recent reporting indicates a growing trend where children increasingly rely on artificial intelligence for companionship.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

25–40%salary premium for professionals with applied AI skills

11xgrowth in AI job adverts since 2019

66%of leaders won't hire without AI literacy

20days to your first credential

The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Recent reporting indicates a growing trend where children increasingly rely on artificial intelligence for companionship. Paradoxically, this technological substitution for human interaction is exacerbating feelings of loneliness among young users. The phenomenon highlights the complex psychological dynamics emerging from AI integration in daily life. Professionals should note this shift as it signals broader societal changes in how humans relate to technology and each other. The data suggests that while AI offers accessibility, it may fail to meet fundamental emotional needs, potentially leading to increased social isolation in developing demographics.

Employer demand for AI in Mental Health skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

You must recognise that as AI companionship rises, human-centric skills become premium assets. Roles requiring genuine empathy, complex communication, and ethical oversight will surge in value. You should focus on industries like mental health, education, and HR, where authentic human connection is irreplaceable. Do not ignore this trend; instead, leverage it. Upskill in psychological understanding and ethical AI governance to guide organisations through these shifts. Your next step is to integrate emotional intelligence into your strategic planning. Demonstrate how your team can provide the human touch that algorithms cannot, positioning yourself as a critical bridge between technology and well-being in your workplace.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are AI in Mental Health, Psychology, Human Resources and Ethics in Artificial Intelligence — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

These programmes position you for exactly this shift — online, self-paced, and finishing with a verifiable certificate you can share the day you pass.