The rise of AI companions providing instant, high-quality emotional and intellectual support will fundamentally alter social norms. This will put pressure on humans to be more available and knowledgeable in their own relationships, changing the definition of what it means to be a good friend or colleague.

Reid Hoffman argues against calling AI a "friend." Real friendship is a two-way relationship where mutual support enriches both individuals. AI interactions are currently one-directional, making them useful tools or companions, but not true friends. This distinction is crucial for designing healthy human-AI interactions.

Beyond professional tasks, assistants can systematically achieve personal goals, from making friends by organizing recurring dinner parties to building family bonds through planned activities. This transforms an assistant from a productivity tool into a life-design partner.

The next wave of consumer AI will shift from individual productivity to fostering connectivity. AI agents will facilitate interactions between people, helping them understand each other better and addressing the core human need to 'be seen,' creating new social dynamics.

Instead of viewing AI relationships as a poor substitute for human connection, a better analogy is 'AI-assisted journaling.' This reframes the interaction as a valuable tool for private self-reflection, externalizing thoughts, and processing ideas, much like traditional journaling.

Rehearse difficult conversations by having an AI adopt the persona of your boss, partner, or employee. This allows you to practice your approach, refine your messaging, and anticipate reactions in a safe environment, increasing your confidence and effectiveness for the real discussion.

While AI companions may help lonely seniors, they pose a generational threat to young people. By providing an easy substitute for real-world relationships, they prevent the development of crucial social skills, creating an addiction and mental health crisis analogous to the opioid epidemic.

The most rewarding aspects of life come from navigating difficult human interactions. "Synthetic relationships" with AI offer a frictionless alternative that could reduce a person's motivation and ability to build the resilience needed for meaningful connections with other people.

Benchmark's Sarah Tavel warns that AI friends, while seemingly beneficial, could function like pornography for social interaction. They offer an easy, idealized version of companionship that may make it harder for users, especially young ones, to navigate the complexities and 'give and take' of real human relationships.