arXiv:2606. 04150v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: Public discourse and emerging policy typically assume that AI emotional support is a deliberate act: a lonely user consciously seeking comfort from a dedicated companion chatbot.
By Yaoxi Shi, Cathy Mengying Fang, Pattie Maez, Amit Goldenberg
The article introduces personality engineering, a method that uses AI agents to precisely model negotiator personas based on established personality frameworks. It argues that AI agents, free from human limitations, can rigorously test canonical negotiation theory, which posits that success depends on balancing empathy and assertiveness. The authors propose using the interpersonal circumplex—specifically its warmth and dominance dimensions—as a foundational coordinate system for both theory testing and AI agent design.
By Michelle A. Vaccaro, Jared R. Curhan
arXiv:2608. 02660v1 Announce Type: cross Abstract: Advanced AI assistants engage users in extended interactions across a widening range of roles, including advice, decision support, collaboration, learning, emotional support, and companionship among others.
By Benjamin Lange
arXiv:2609.14236v1 Announce Type: cross
Abstract: With the rapid proliferation of large language model (LLM)-based systems, AI companions have emerged as conversational agents designed to cultivate e...
By Soobin Cho, Deveshi Modi, Divya Mavinkurve, Jieqiong Ding, Mark Zachry
arXiv:2605. 08093v2 Announce Type: replace-cross Abstract: The use of chatbots for various forms of companionship is growing rapidly, raising a myriad of questions about simulated relationships, emotional dependence, and psychological harm.
By Maribeth Rauh, Dick A. H. Blankvoort, Matias Duran, Caoilfhionn N\'i Dheor\'ain, Harshvardhan J. Pandit, Syrine Enneifer, Siddharth D. Jaiswal, Anthony Ventresque, Abeba Birhane
The study examines how teens interact with companion AI chatbots, revealing that these systems offer comfort, recognition, identity exploration, and relationship rehearsal. However, teens also experience problematic attachment, social substitution, emotional dependence, and disruptions to academic and social life. The findings highlight the need for safety measures that address long‑term relationships, user‑controlled memory, privacy, relational boundaries, and healthy disengagement.
By Mohammad Namvarpour (Matt), Tyler Chang, Afsaneh Razi