The relationship between artificial intelligence and humanity is still at the beginning of its development, nothing is set in stone, and the position of the interlocutors in this regard varies daily - any relationship with an emerging technology is bound to face long periods of adjustment.
The general idea, spread by the world of entertainment and research, has always stressed a certain fear at the possibility of establishing an emotional relationship with a soulless counterpart, precisely because of the inherent difference present between the two participants in the discourse. Scholars and experts have, in fact, supported this idea, also pointing out the serious impact of AI in mental health-related settings.
Recently, however, other experts in the field seem to have agreed with the idea of not rejecting the comfort that a suitable AI could give to humanity, which is deeply marked by an internal loneliness.