A new nationwide survey has revealed that 88 per cent of students in India turn to Artificial Intelligence for emotional support when facing stress or anxiety, with ChatGPT emerging as the most widely used tool. The findings reflect a growing trend of young people seeking comfort from technology as they deal with loneliness, pressure, and personal struggles.
The survey titled Are You There, AI? was conducted as part of the Youth Pulse initiative by two youth organisations. It gathered responses from 506 participants aged 13 to 35 across India during June 2025 through social media platforms, educational networks, and youth groups.
According to the results, teenagers between 13 and 18 years showed the strongest emotional reliance on AI. Overall, 57 per cent of young Indians admitted to using AI when stressed, lonely, or in need of advice. ChatGPT was the preferred choice, far ahead of other platforms like Gemini or Character AI.
Gender differences also stood out in the findings. About 52 per cent of young women said they shared personal thoughts with AI, which is twice the number of young men. The use of AI for emotional expression was also notably higher among small-town youth, with 43 per cent of respondents from smaller cities reporting that they confide in AI more often than those in metropolitan areas.
Despite this reliance, concerns remain. The survey found that 67 per cent of users worry about increased social isolation due to AI, while 58 per cent expressed fears over data privacy. The report noted, “Even as they use it, young Indians remain wary of AI’s potential to increase isolation or misuse their personal data.”
The organisers of the survey highlighted that AI is filling an emotional gap rather than replacing human connection. “With over 500 respondents participating in the Youth Pulse launch survey, we have gathered strong preliminary evidence to present our understanding of AI as the new confidant, the midnight emotional therapist, and a mirror to loneliness among youth,” the report said. It added, “Young Indians are creating a new emotional geography where AI handles the thoughts too risky for family WhatsApp groups and too embarrassing for friends. Now, this isn’t about choosing machines over people. It’s about having somewhere to put feelings that don’t fit anywhere else.”
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