Spending time chatting with AI assistants like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, or similar systems might be more than just a tech habit. A new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that people who use AI chatbots daily are more likely to report moderate depressive symptoms compared with those who interact with them less frequently. Researchers found a roughly 30% higher odds of at least moderate depression among regular users, though they are careful to emphasize that this link is an association, not proof that chatbot use causes depression.
This finding comes from a national survey of nearly 21,000 U.S. adults conducted in 2025, where participants detailed how often they interacted with generative AI tools and completed standard mental health questionnaires. Within that group, about 10% said they used AI daily, and 5% said they engaged with chatbots multiple times throughout the day. Those daily users showed higher rates of reported depressive symptoms and other negative emotional effects, such as anxiety and irritability.
What the Research Actually Shows
Just to be clear, researchers behind the study stress an important nuance: the results don’t prove that AI chatbot use causes depression. However, it’s possible that people already experiencing depressive symptoms or loneliness may be more inclined to talk with AI frequently, rather than the chats being the trigger. Some analyses also hinted that middle-aged adults (45–64) showed particularly strong associations, though the reasons why remain unclear.
That doesn’t mean AI chatbots lack potential benefits. In specialized therapeutic settings, for example, CBT-based or clinically guided systems, some evidence shows reductions in depressive symptoms and loneliness when designed with safeguards and clear boundaries in place. But casual use for everyday companionship or support appears to be a different story. Mental health professionals caution that heavy reliance on AI interactions can make underlying issues harder to address with human support.
For now, the new research highlights a relationship worth better understanding as AI tools become more interwoven with daily life. Whether frequent AI chat reflects a coping strategy for emotional distress, a contributor to social withdrawal, or something more complex entirely, experts say people should be mindful of why they’re turning to artificial voices. It’s essential to not hesitate to seek human connection and professional support when needed.
