The shelf · Pets, robots and AI companions
Does Turned On hold up?
Turned On: Science, Sex and Robots, by Kate Devlin (2018)
A computer scientist's history and ethics of intimate and companion machines.
The short answer
Yes. People do bond with responsive machines, and care robots show some benefit, in small, short studies.
The claims, checked
People treat responsive machines as if they understand them, much as with a pet.
Holds A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research (online June 2025) found a conversation with an AI companion reduced loneliness in the moment about as much as talking to a person, and daily use reduced it across a week.
Evidence: De Freitas et al., Journal of Consumer Research, 2025
The robot seal Paro increases group participation among care-home residents.
Holds with conditions A systematic review of 19 studies found some evidence of reduced agitation. More social contact appeared only in qualitative studies, and some residents became more agitated.
Evidence: Evidently Cochrane