Using attachment theory to conceptualize and measure the experiences in human-AI relationships

Abstract Artificial intelligence (AI) is growing “stronger and wiser,” leading to increasingly frequent and varied human-AI interactions. This trend is expected to continue. Existing research has primarily focused on trust and companionship in human-AI relationships, but little is known about whether attachment-related functions and experiences could also be applied to this relationship. In two pilot studies and one formal study, the current project first explored using attachment theory to examine human-AI relationships. Initially, we hypothesized that interactions with generative AI mimic attachment-related functions, which we tested in Pilot Study 1. Subsequently, we posited that experiences in human-AI relationships could be conceptualized via two attachment dimensions, attachment anxiety and avoidance, which are similar to traditional interpersonal dynamics. To this end, in Pilot Study 2, a self-report scale, the Experiences in Human-AI Relationships Scale, was developed. Further, we tested its reliability and validity in a formal study. Overall, the findings suggest that attachment theory significantly contributes to understanding the dynamics of human-AI interactions. Specifically, attachment anxiety toward AI is characterized by a significant need for emotional reassurance from AI and a fear of receiving inadequate responses. Conversely, attachment avoidance involves discomfort with closeness and a preference for maintaining emotional distance from AI. This implies the potential existence of shared structures underlying the experiences generated from interactions, including those with other humans, pets, or AI. These patterns reveal similarities with human and pet relationships, suggesting common structural foundations. Future research should examine how these attachment styles function across different relational contexts.