More and more people of all ages are using AI for companionship.  

Some states are trying to require periodic reminders to users that the chatbots are not real people. In New York, those reminders would appear in the conversation every three hours. But some researchers say those reminders could harm users’ mental health. 

UW-Milwaukee associate professor Linnea Laestadius took that position in a recent piece she coauthored. Laestadius joins WUWM education reporter Katherine Kokal to talk about why her research backs up that concern.  

A warning to our listeners that this conversation includes mention of suicide.