KPMG Study Finds Majority of Workers Prefer AI Chatbots as Workplace Friends

A significant number of workers are experiencing loneliness in the workplace, with 45% reporting such feelings and 99% expressing interest in AI chatbots as potential close friends or companions at work. However, experts like Leslie Hammer caution that AI cannot replace the personal relationships and trust developed over time among human colleagues, emphasizing the importance of human-led efforts to increase control, reduce demands, and enhance support in the workplace. Meanwhile, AI-powered robots like Robin are being deployed in hospitals and nursing homes across four U.S. states to provide companionship and stress relief for children and elderly patients, showcasing a therapeutic application of AI in healthcare. The virtual human industry is also rapidly evolving, leveraging technologies such as natural language processing and image recognition to create smarter, more humanlike digital interactions, with significant investment driving growth in sectors like live-streaming e-commerce and corporate digital transformation. These developments highlight a broader integration of AI into human environments, balancing technological innovation with the need for authentic human connection and support.