Tessa West, Contributor People love their AI companions. And they're increasingly relying on AI to navigate the hardest parts of human relationships. Between 2022 and mid-2025, the number of AI companion apps surged by 700% . Surveys have found that seven in 10 Gen Zers use AI to navigate workplace conflicts, and about half use it in their dating lives, including to help them break up with people. I get the appeal. AI companions are built to simulate human connection.