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Meta-analysis of 47 studies finds AI use tied to more loneliness, mainly in older adults

Study title: A Meta-Analysis of Artificial Intelligence Technologies Use and Loneliness: Examining the Influence of Physical Embodiment, Age Differences, and Effect Direction

Evidence type
Systematic review or meta-analysis
Sources
1 sourcePeer-reviewed
Published
2 min read
Truvace record
TRV-2026-2746cite or check it

Study title: A Meta-Analysis of Artificial Intelligence Technologies Use and Loneliness: Examining the Influence of Physical Embodiment, Age Differences, and Effect Direction

A meta-analysis pooling 47 studies from 21 publications found a small but significant positive correlation between AI use and loneliness (r = 0.163). Earlier research on the topic had produced inconsistent results, and this analysis set out to reconcile them.

Read the study abstract

Recent research has investigated the connection between artificial intelligence (AI) utilization and feelings of loneliness, yielding inconsistent outcomes. This meta-analysis aims to clarify this relationship by synthesizing data from 47 relevant studies across 21 publications. Findings indicate a generally significant positive correlation between AI use and loneliness ( r = 0.163, p < 0.05). Specifically, interactions with physically embodied AI are marginally significantly associated with decreased loneliness…

The problem

A meta-analysis of 47 studies across 21 publications found AI use positively correlated with loneliness (r = 0.163), with disembodied AI (r = 0.352) and adults aged 60 and above (r = 0.352) showing the strongest links.

In brief

The link differed by type of AI and by age. Disembodied AI, such as software without a physical form, was tied to more loneliness (r = 0.352), while physically embodied AI was marginally associated with less loneliness (r = -0.266, p = 0.088, not conventionally significant).

Among adults aged 60 and above, AI use was positively associated with loneliness (r = 0.352), while no significant correlation appeared in people aged 35 and below (r = 0.039). The results are correlations, so they do not show whether AI use causes loneliness or lonely people turn to AI.

Main points

  1. The analysis pooled 47 studies across 21 publications.
  2. Overall correlation between AI use and loneliness was r = 0.163 (p < 0.05).
  3. Physically disembodied AI was linked to higher loneliness (r = 0.352, p < 0.001).
  4. Physically embodied AI was marginally linked to lower loneliness (r = -0.266, p = 0.088).
  5. Adults aged 60 and above showed a positive link (r = 0.352, p < 0.001); those aged 35 and below showed none (r = 0.039, p = 0.659).
  6. Accounting for positive attitudes toward AI, the effect of AI use worsening loneliness outweighed the reverse direction, though both were significantly positive.

The full story

The meta-analysis, published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking in February 2025, synthesised 47 studies from 21 publications to resolve inconsistent findings on whether AI use and loneliness go together.

Embodiment mattered: the association was positive for disembodied AI (r = 0.352, p < 0.001) but negative and only marginally significant for embodied AI (r = -0.266, p = 0.088).

Age also mattered. Older adults aged 60 and above showed a significant positive association (r = 0.352, p < 0.001), while people aged 35 and below showed no significant correlation (r = 0.039, p = 0.659).

When positive attitudes toward AI were included, the analysis found that AI use exacerbating loneliness outweighed loneliness driving AI use, although both directions showed significant positive relationships.

Sources

1 on file
  1. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networkingdoi:10.1089/cyber.2024.0468
    Peer-reviewed2025-02-05

Talk it over

Four questions to start onWho carries this cost, and what would have to change to prevent it?

Start with a question

Meta-analysis of 47 studies finds AI use tied to more loneliness, mainly in older adultshttps://truvace.com/item/a-meta-analysis-of-artificial-intelligence-technologies-use-and-loneliness-exami

  1. Who carries this cost, and what would have to change to prevent it?

    The problem A meta-analysis of 47 studies across 21 publications found AI use positively correlated with loneliness (r = 0.163), with disembodied AI (r = 0.352) and adults aged 60 and above (r = 0.352) showing the strongest links.

    Answer in the thread

  2. How do we know? What can this kind of evidence show, and what can’t it?

    The evidence This rests on a systematic review or meta-analysis, from Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking.

    Answer in the thread

  3. What does it leave open? What else would you want to know before acting on it?

    The record’s own caveat The associations are correlational, and the analysis found both directions of effect significant, so it cannot establish whether AI use causes loneliness or lonely people use AI more.

    Answer in the thread

  4. Have you seen AI used this way where you study, work or live? Did it go the same way?

    Answer in the thread

The questions are the same on every record. The details under them are taken from this record as written.

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