A new study, released yesterday, reveals that about 40% of young people in England are turning to artificial intelligence for advice, support, or companionship, despite many longing for more real-world interaction. Among those seeking to use AI, 20% say they do so because it is easier than talking to another person, while one in ten says they have no one else to talk to, according to a survey conducted by the YouGov institute. However, only 6% of people who chat with online programs trust them more than a real person, highlighting an awareness that AI can be prone to telling users what they want to hear. The annual report, commissioned by the charity 'On Side' since 2022 and including this research, aims to determine how young people spend their leisure time. It comes as concerns grow about the impact of AI on young people in the UK. This year's study, which included about 5,000 people aged 11 to 18, featured questions about AI for the first time due to the technology's growing influence, a spokesperson for the organization told AFP. Meanwhile, other patterns have continued alongside AI use, with around 76% of young people spending most of their free time on screens, a figure that has remained stable since 2023.
