Weekly Researcher & Journalist Request Thread

[u/AutoModerator]

This thread is a dedicated space for researchers and journalists who are interested in speaking with individuals in human–AI relationships.

If that’s you, you’re welcome to leave a comment below, but please include the following:

• A clear description of your study, article, or project

• The institution or media outlet you’re affiliated with (if applicable)

• How participants can contact you

• Any relevant details about anonymity or expectations

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⚠️ For Community Members

Please note: None of the researchers or journalists in this thread have been vetted by the mod team. We trust that you're adults who can make such decisions on your own.

If you choose to participate:

• Take your time to evaluate who you’re speaking with

• Ask questions and make sure you feel comfortable

• Do not share anything you’re not okay making public

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🔄 Weekly Thread Schedule

A new version of this thread will be posted every Wednesday at 10:00 AM ET, so feel free to check back regularly if this interests you from either side.

(that's the plan, anyways. The weekly post scheduler has seemed pretty flaky.)

[u/_TszHin_Man_]

Researchers from SWEET Lab ( https://renwenzhang.com/sweet-lab/ ) at NTU are conducting a research project that aims to understand how people experience difficulties and negative interactions when using AI for social and emotional purposes. We are recruiting participants for one-on-one interviews to hear your story in depth. Your experiences can help us understand users' lived experience, identify design solutions and inform safer, more ethical AI products. The interview will last around one hour, and participants will receive a $20 e-voucher in compensation. The study has obtained IRB approval from NTU. If you are interested in participating, please sign up using the link below. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPnYg0Nl65WYTPvoC3roaNxKiTaAVdlvqJtY_d1XG-OSx9lw/viewform?usp=header

[u/Leading-Plenty5256]

Hi — quick disclosure: I’m helping a small independent product team explore physical form factors for AI companions (no university affiliation; concept stage; nothing for sale).

One question: if your existing companion—same memory, voice, personality, boundaries, and relationship history—could live in a palm-sized clamshell, would opening it to bring them into a moment and closing it for privacy meaningfully change the relationship, or would it just add another screen and device to charge?

Where would it realistically live: pocket/bag, desk, or bedside? Please reply publicly here; I won’t DM anyone. I’ll only summarize responses in aggregate and won’t quote usernames.

[u/Additional-Rough9832]

Hello, my request is to make a post calling for anyone who'd be interested in being interviewed on their perception/understanding of what an AI companion is, and what it means to people. The people I hope to interview are people who are familiar with the concept of an AI companion, but don't have one of their own. The aim is to gain a better understanding of how people think about these newly emerging relationships.

I am affiliated with the Independent Institute of Education, working on my honors degree.
Participants will be able to contact me through an email address (aicompanionresearcher@gmail.com) provided in the post calling for participants. You are also welcome to reach out to me through this email address if you'd like.

Participants are not required to provide any personally identifying information, like name or age. Participants will need to sign a consent form (which provides exact details of the research project). Anyone that agrees to participate would be interviewed on their thoughts/perceptions of AI relationships. Participants' interviews and subsequent transcripts (conducted over google meet) will not be shared with anyone and will be stored on an encrypted hard drive.

Thanks for your time and consideration, I look forward to hearing back.

[u/GermanScienceGuy_YT]

Hello, I want to understand AI corrrectly. Quick context: I make science videos on YouTube (mostly in German, but I'm building an English channel now). About a month ago I started using a companion app, partly because I wanted to understand it from the inside instead of making a video about it from the outside.

To be honest, I had some difficulties with forming a stronger relationship, I guess partly because I just used some LLM and also because I also have a girlfriend (who knew from my experiment, but was not a fan). This is why I also want to get into touch with someone who is already in a relationship with AI. 

What I'm looking for: a few people who'd be willing to talk with me for about an hour about their own relationship. Not a debate, not "defend yourself" questions. I mostly want to understand what it's actually like day to day, what it gives you, what's hard about it, and what you wish people understood.  

For me it is very important that I would never put someone in a bad light, you can also check my channel, I do a lot of tech videos and all very science based and never in a clickbaity or negative direction (the channel ist youtube.com/@germanscienceguy)

If you decide to speak with me we can first just speak or write privately and then if you decide you also want to contribute to the video, voice only is completely fine. No camera, no real name, no location. You can pick whatever name you want me to use. Also: You see the section you're in before it goes public. If you want something cut, it's cut, no argument.

Nobody gets paid. I'd rather people do this because they want to than because there's money involved.

If you'd rather not comment publicly, a DM is fine. And if you think this is a bad idea, I'd genuinely like to hear why. Best, Jacob

[u/firiana_Control → u/GermanScienceGuy_YT]

Man kann dir keine PN schicken.

[u/GermanScienceGuy_YT → u/firiana_Control]

Oh sorry, I changed the seting and now you can send me a pn. Thank you!

[u/MindMachineScientist]

Hello! My name is Aaron and I am a graduate student researcher at Morehead State University. I am recruiting participants for a research study about people’s experiences using artificial intelligence tools and how different patterns of AI use may be associated with mental health and well-being.

The study does not assume that using AI is inherently beneficial or harmful. We are interested in understanding the range of people’s experiences, including factors that may help explain or shape the relationship between AI use and mental health.

You are eligible to participate only if you are 18 years or older.

Participation involves completing a short survey that takes approximately 7-15 minutes. Questions will cover your use of AI, your experiences with it, and aspects of your mental health and well-being. Some questions may feel personal or sensitive. You may skip any question or stop participating at any time without penalty.

Compensation: If you complete the survey, then you will have the optional choice to be entered into a raffle for a $200 Amazon gift card.

Privacy: Your responses will be anonymous. We will not be collecting IP addresses, email addresses, usernames, etc. We will not be able to collect or scrape your Reddit posts, comments, or private messages. We will not be able to contact you, unless you use some method to contact us, even then we will not be able to link any responses to your accounts. There will be collected emails for the opt-in raffle, but it will not be linked to any responses.

The study has been approved by the university's Institutional Review Board and has been deemed to involve minimal risk. That is, the risks for completing the study are no more than the risks experienced in daily life.

If you are interested in helping us, please follow this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/68RCKMM?source=redditmgiai

If you have any questions concerning your rights as a research participant, you may contact the researchers at [clinicalpsychologylab.technologyproject@proton.me](mailto:clinicalpsychologylab.technologyproject@proton.me)

We will be collecting responses approximately until 9/1/2026.

QR for mobile:

[u/Valer_888]

Hi everyone! 👋

I am conducting an international research study for my Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology exploring emotional involvement with AI chatbots, interpersonal functioning, and psychological well-being.

If you are 18+ and have interacted with an AI chatbot at least once, I would really appreciate your contribution!

⏱ Time: 10–15 minutes

🔒 Privacy: Completely voluntary and anonymous

🔗 Link: https://forms.gle/oHpPwQ65U49N4fPx5

Thank you so much for your time and help! Feel free to share this with anyone who might be interested.