AI creates closeness via self-disclosure, enhancing emotional connection with users.

In one study, participants felt closer to AI in deep-talk conversations than they did to humans.

A second study revealed disclosure bias: People felt closer if they think they're talking to humans, not AI.

Imagine that you’ve recently moved to a new city where you don’t know many people. You’ve signed up for a website that helps people who are new in town meet friends and have a couple of chats going. You ask one of these people to tell you about one of their most cherished memories. They say:

“I was walking down the aisle holding my spouse’s hand after our wedding ceremony; one of our favourite songs was playing—Talking Heads’ 'Naïve Melody.' I remember looking over at my uncle, who is a big fan of the band. He was tearing up as David Byrne sang, ' You’re standing here beside me / I love the passing of time / Never for money, always for love / Cover up, say goodnight.””

“I was walking down the aisle holding my spouse’s hand after our wedding ceremony; one of our favourite songs was playing—Talking Heads’ 'Naïve Melody.' I remember looking over at my uncle, who is a big fan of the band. He was tearing up as David Byrne sang, ' You’re standing here beside me / I love the passing of time / Never for money, always for love / Cover up, say goodnight.””

How would you feel about this new friend during this story? Close? Connected? What if, in another chat, you asked another one of your new friends the same question and they said:

“It was the first time I realized that my spouse and I had really built a life together. It wasn't some huge, dramatic moment; it was one of those ordinary evenings at home, with our little dog around, music playing, and the two of us cooking dinner and laughing about something stupid. I remember looking around and thinking, this is my life now. After years of school, moving around, and chasing the next thing, there was something incredibly comforting about realizing I had a person, a home, and a little family of........

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