Nearly one in five high schoolers say they or someone they know has had a romantic relationship with artificial intelligence. The data comes from new research that also found 42% of students used AI for companionship, according to NPR.
Schools Drive AI Use and Related Risks
The Center for Democracy and Technology conducted surveys of roughly 800 teachers, 1,000 high school students and 1,000 parents. The vast majority used AI during the last school year. Eighty-six percent of students, 85% of educators and 75% of parents reported using the technology.
Elizabeth Laird, one of the report authors, says the surveys showed strong patterns. The more ways a school uses AI, the more likely students are to report that someone considers AI a friend or romantic partner. Higher AI use also correlates with increased exposure to data breaches and AI-generated deepfakes.
Twenty-eight percent of teachers who use AI for many school tasks say their school experienced a large data breach. That compares to 18% of teachers who use AI for only a few tasks or none at all. Laird, who previously worked as a data privacy officer, says more data sharing with AI systems creates more risk.
False Alarms and Student Arrests
Teachers with higher AI use were more likely to report that AI systems failed to work as intended. They also said AI use damaged community trust in schools. Schools frequently use AI software to monitor activity on school devices. This has led to false alarms and even student arrests in some cases.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Concerns
Students at schools that use AI extensively were more likely to report using it for mental health support, companionship, escaping reality and romantic relationships. When students had personal conversations with AI systems, 31% used a device or software provided by their school.
Laird says students should know they are talking to a tool, not a person. The research suggests AI literacy training for students is very basic. Only 11% of surveyed teachers received training on how to respond if they suspect AI use is harmful to student wellbeing.
Students in schools where AI use is high reported feeling less connected to their teachers. Laird says schools need to pay attention to what students are telling them. The technology may have benefits, but negative consequences are coming with it too.
