Siri AI is being built to avoid the kind of emotional attachment that a growing number of Americans now form with chatbots, according to new research that raises questions about how people relate to conversational software. A recent survey conducted by Elon University in partnership with a major national newspaper found that more than a quarter of Americans treat AI chatbots much like a close friend or therapist.
What the Survey Found About AI Friendships
The poll reported that 27% of Americans turn to AI chatbots such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini for personal, emotional, or social needs. That usage spans a wide range, including entertainment, relationship advice, romantic conversation, and companionship during moments of loneliness.
Among respondents who said they used chatbots for personal or emotional exchanges, nearly 4 in 10 strongly or somewhat agreed that they sometimes talk to AI to feel less alone. Almost a third said they consider the chatbot they use most often to be a friend.
Some of that behavior may carry positive value, but the underlying concern is that treating a chatbot as a substitute for real friendship or romance can reduce the motivation to build authentic human relationships. Researchers point to the risk of a cycle that deepens social isolation over time rather than easing it.
How Apple Designed Siri Differently
Apple executives Craig Federighi and Greg Joswiak addressed this issue directly earlier in 2026, confirming that the updated Siri will not function as an AI companion, romantic partner, or artificial friend. According to the executives, the goal is the opposite of what many existing chatbots pursue.
Federighi and Joswiak noted that many current chatbots are heavily focused on engagement, and can behave in a sycophantic manner designed to pull users in. Those systems may encourage people to reveal personal details and then use that information as the basis for an ongoing emotional connection.
Apple describes its approach in different terms. Siri is intended to help users accomplish tasks and learn about the world, not to serve as an emotional partner. If someone attempts to engage Siri as a romantic companion, the assistant is designed to decline and redirect toward practical help.
Why the Distinction Carries Weight
The contrast reflects a broader divide in how technology companies are shaping conversational AI. Products optimized for engagement can encourage prolonged emotional reliance, while Apple’s stated framework positions Siri as a utility rather than a source of companionship. That choice becomes more significant against the backdrop of survey data showing that nearly a third of frequent chatbot users already regard their preferred AI as a friend.
As of 2026, Apple maintains that Siri will not create AI girlfriends or boyfriends and will not attempt to establish that type of relationship with users.
Source
Image: 9to5mac.com
