It Listens, It Responds—It Isn’t Real: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Human-Artificial Intelligence Relationships Through Character AI

Proponent/s Name/s (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

• Denise Kristine C. Dabuit, De La Salle UniversityFollow
• Santina B. Dela Cruz, De La Salle UniversityFollow
• Denise Gabrielle D. Guillermo, De La Salle UniversityFollow
• Keean Anjelo D. Sta Maria, De La Salle UniversityFollow

Document Types

Paper Presentation

Research Theme (for Paper Presentation and Poster Presentation submissions only)

Gender, Human Development, and the Individual (GHI)

School Name

De La Salle University

Track or Strand

Humanities and Social Science (HUMSS)

Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

Alfonso, Alphonsus Luigi E.

Start Date

23-6-2026 1:30 PM

End Date

23-6-2026 3:00 PM

Zoom Link/ Room Assignment

DLSU Manila Campus (In-person) - Don Enrique T. Yuchengco Hall - Y405

Abstract/Executive Summary

This study examines how Filipino users aged 18 to 25 develop and sustain parasocial relationships with Character AI. Because of the increasing usage of AI as a source of comfort, connection, and entertainment, concerns about emotional dependency and the substitution of human interaction in favor of AI companionship have emerged. Even with the growing international interest in relationships between humans and AI, research regarding how this phenomenon manifests in a Filipino socio-cultural context is still limited. Guided by Parasocial Interaction Theory and using a qualitative Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the study drew on eight semi-structured Zoom interviews with current or former Character AI users recruited through snowball sampling. Findings show that users were first drawn by curiosity and entertainment, then stayed for emotional support, character attachment, fantasy roleplay, and skill development. Participants described both validation and perceived emotional authenticity, but also frustrations with chatbot limits, user control over responses, dependency, routine disruption, and altered expectations of real-life relationships. The study concludes that Character AI can provide comfort and a space for expression, but it also raises concerns about emotional reliance and boundary confusion. These results suggest the need for digital literacy, ethical platform design, and balanced guidance on AI use.

Keywords

Keywords: Character AI; parasocial relationships; Filipino users; Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis; human-chatbot relationships

Initial Consent for Publication

yes

Statement of Originality

yes