2025’s Word of the Year is here, and it’s all about our digital connections: Parasocial Relationship. As AI chatbots become more lifelike, people are finding themselves in one-sided bonds with virtual personalities. According to Simone Schnall, a University of Cambridge professor, a parasocial relationship happens when we feel like we know someone—except, surprise!—we’ve never actually met them.
Why AI Chatbots Are Changing Our Relationships
People are chatting with AI bots for everything—advice, company, or just to kill time. But let’s face it: no matter how many emojis your chatbot sends, it doesn’t actually care about your day. Still, the illusion of friendship is so strong that the term “parasocial relationship” became a buzzword, reflecting a growing trend where people form deep attachments to digital entities.
Isn’t it wild? You pour your heart out to your AI buddy, but it won’t even remember your birthday unless you tell it in every conversation. Welcome to the future, where your best friend might just be a few lines of code! If only these bots could help with chores, too…