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TRUVACE RECORD VERSION
record: TRV-2026-2746
version: 1
kind: certified
reason: Certified into the record
timestamp: 2026-11-12T17:18:07.691895Z
status: published
lens: p_space
sector: lifestyle
headline: A Meta-Analysis of Artificial Intelligence Technologies Use and Loneliness: Examining the Influence of Physical Embodiment, Age Differences, and Effect Direction
dek: 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…
gain_title: (none)
problem_title: 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.
trace_subject: (none)
gain_reading: (none)
gain_evidence: (none)
problem_reading: 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.
problem_evidence: Findings indicate a generally significant positive correlation between AI use and loneliness ( r = 0.163, p < 0.05) | engagement with physically disembodied AI is significantly linked to increased loneliness ( r = 0.352, p < 0.001)
quick_read: 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.

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.
limitation: 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.
tag: Evidence-backed problem
key_points: The analysis pooled 47 studies across 21 publications. | Overall correlation between AI use and loneliness was r = 0.163 (p < 0.05). | Physically disembodied AI was linked to higher loneliness (r = 0.352, p < 0.001). | Physically embodied AI was marginally linked to lower loneliness (r = -0.266, p = 0.088). | 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). | Accounting for positive attitudes toward AI, the effect of AI use worsening loneliness outweighed the reverse direction, though both were significantly positive.
rundown: 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:
- peer_reviewed | Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking | https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2024.0468 | 2025-02-05
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