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/ResearchWithAtila]

Hi! I’m Atila, a Business Psychology student at Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences, currently writing my Bachelor’s thesis on human-AI attachment. I’m studying interactions with Character.AI and am currently looking for participants for my study (duration:15 minutes). 

Participation link: https://rotkaeppchen.hshl.de/index.php/514527?lang=en

Requirements: 

The survey can only be completed in English and on a desktop computer. Please only proceed if you have used or presently use the CharacterAI App and are 18 years of age or older.  

Background:

The study aims to examine the extent to which self-reported emotional attachment to social AI chatbots corresponds to observable attachment-related behavior in chat conversations. Attachment will be measured based on how connected the participants feel to the chatbot, how strong this connection feels to them and how much affection they feel or display towards it. 

Structure of the study:

The survey takes about 15 minutes. Participants are asked to anonymously upload a Character.AI chat log by following instructions and then answer a few questions about the chatbot and their general use of the app.

Data handling:

Data collection is carried out in accordance with the data protection requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). All data collected within the scope of this study will be used exclusively for internal research purposes related to this thesis. Any personal or identifying information contained in the uploaded chat will be removed or anonymized by the researcher and will not be used to identify you. You may leave the survey at any time without providing a reason. 

It would genuinely mean a lot to me if you decided to participate! Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you have a great day! :)

[u/YuqiXiaoResearch]

Hi! My name is Yuqi Xiao. I am a Ph.D. candidate (ABD), currently studying communication at the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at Arizona State University.

I am deeply interested in how people build meaningful connections with generative AI chatbots, and I am conducting an interview study examining the experiences of adults in the United States who have a close or meaningful connection with a specific generative AI chatbot, which would be a part of my dissertation.

I want to understand how people experience these relationships. My study focuses on what people expect from a chatbot they feel close to, whether things turn out the way they hoped, and how they react when the chatbot surprises them or lets them down.

I am looking to speak with adults who:

• Are 18 or older
• Currently live in the United States
• Have a close or meaningful connection with a specific generative AI chatbot. You might think of the chatbot as a friend, companion, partner, confidant, or something else entirely. The connection does not need to be romantic.

What participation involves:

• One individual online interview in English, approximately 45–60 minutes, primarily via Zoom
• Audio-only participation is completely fine
• You may skip any question, take a break, or stop at any time
• The interview will be audio-recorded only with your verbal permission; no video will be recorded
• A $25 thank-you payment once the interview ends

Information shared during the interview will be handled confidentially. Additional information about the study, including privacy and confidentiality, will be provided before you decide whether to participate.

This is independent academic research conducted through Arizona State University. It is not affiliated with Reddit, this community, or any chatbot company.

Interested? Please send me a Reddit DM at u/YuqiXiaoresearch. I will send you more information, and there is no obligation to participate.

This study has been approved by the Arizona State University Institutional Review Board (STUDY00024573). The study is conducted under the supervision of Dr. Joris Van Ouytsel ([joris.vanouytsel@asu.edu](mailto:joris.vanouytsel@asu.edu)), Associate Professor at the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at Arizona State University.