Parasocial: Are you in a 'parasocial' relationship with an AI? Learn what this new term means...

Recently, a video went viral on social media. In it, some young people confessed that they no longer rely on friends for advice or conversation, but on AI chatbots like ChatGPT. Some even said that AI has become like their boyfriend or girlfriend, with whom they communicate throughout the day, sharing their joys and sorrows. Research has shown that AI understands young people's emotions better than friends or family members, not only listening to problems but also offering solutions. The term "parasocial" is used to describe this behavior.

Cambridge Dictionary Selects 2025 Word of the Year
On Tuesday, November 18, Cambridge Dictionary announced "parasocial" as its 2025 Word of the Year. This word truly reflects the rapid changes in life over the past few years due to social media, AI, and digital lifestyles.

Parasocial: A One-Sided Emotional Relationship
When a person forms a one-sided emotional connection with a celebrity, influencer, or AI chatbot, it's called a "parasocial relationship." In this relationship, the person feels connected, but the other person, whether human or machine, remains unaware of it.

Cambridge Dictionary explained in a video on X that people develop emotional connections with politicians, athletes, or celebrities. They begin to consider their joys and sorrows as their own, and even express anger or disappointment when a major tragedy occurs. However, the celebrity doesn't know anything about you, so these feelings are one-sided. Most such examples are seen in pop culture.

Parasocial Relationships Forming with AI
A similar trend is now being seen with AI chatbots. Many people are viewing ChatGPTs as friends, companions, or partners. In many cases, this relationship becomes deeply emotional. While some people are happy with this connection, there have been many experiences where parasocial relationships have caused stress, disappointment, or emotional confusion.

Colin McIntosh of Cambridge Dictionary explains that "parasocial accurately reflects the social climate, public thinking, and trends of 2025. Once a term confined to a few researchers, it has now become a part of common discourse."

He also notes that millions of people are in some form of parasocial relationship, whether with celebrities, influencers, or AI. This is why online searches for this term have increased rapidly in recent months.

The term originated in 1956
In 1956, two sociologists at the University of Chicago observed that TV viewers began to consider TV actors as close friends or family members. They coined the term, parasocial relationships. Today, this concept has taken a digital form and spread even deeper into AI, YouTubers, Instagram influencers, and social media personalities.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.