A 2025 survey of 1,058 young people aged 12 to 21 found that 13% had turned to generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) for emotional support when feeling sad, angry, or nervous. Among those aged 18 to 21, the rate was higher—22%. These findings suggest that using AI for emotional or mental health support is becoming more common among younger generations. Researchers from the universities of Manchester and Durham conducted five experiments to compare emotional-support messages written by humans with those generated by large language models (LLMs), the technology behind chatbots like ChatGPT. In one experiment, 390 participants imagined situations involving anger, sadness, or fear and then read either a human-written or AI-generated response. They were not told which was which. Participants found the AI-generated messages more emotionally supportive in anger and fear scenarios, though there was no clear difference for sadness. AI-generated messages also had some effect on the emotions participants reported, though the results varied. For example, in fear scenarios, AI messages increased feelings of calm more than human messages but did not reduce fear as much. A recent review of 23 studies found that people generally rated AI-generated messages as more empathetic—more understanding and caring—than human-written messages. Researchers refer to this as the "AI advantage." One possible reason is that AI can consistently produce structured responses, while humans might feel tired or unsure of what to say. AI messages also tend to include concrete, actionable suggestions that people can follow. Researchers tested possible reasons for this advantage. One experiment found that simply acknowledging a person’s feelings did not explain why AI messages were more effective. However, two other experiments found stronger evidence for "actionable support"—specific and realistic suggestions. Messages that included this kind of practical help were rated as more comforting and improved emotional responses, regardless of whether they came from AI or a person. When human messages offered similar help, they were seen as just as supportive. A 2024 study found that too many suggestions could reduce how much people felt heard. This suggests that before offering solutions, it may be helpful to ask if advice is what the person wants. If so, one manageable step might be more useful than a long list of remedies. Across nine studies involving 6,282 people, the same AI-generated messages were rated as more empathetic and supportive when described as being written by a human rather than by AI. Participants also preferred human interaction when seeking emotional support, even if it meant waiting longer. Researchers are still trying to understand why this is the case. One possibility is that human responses signal a willingness to invest time and emotional energy. Support from someone close also comes within an existing relationship. A study with romantic couples offered indirect evidence that how the recipient perceives the effort of the person helping is more important than the helper’s own account. Another study found that valuing and actively listening to a partner were linked to greater relationship satisfaction. These studies identified patterns and associations, but they did not prove that certain types of support cause better relationships or explain why people prefer human support. They also show that comparing isolated messages leaves out important factors. Emotional comfort from someone close comes with personal knowledge and the possibility of continued involvement. While AI can suggest going for a walk, it cannot join the person. The research has important limitations. Much of it tested short or one-time exchanges, often involving imagined everyday situations, and measured immediate reactions. It cannot tell us what happens when someone relies on a chatbot over months or during a mental health crisis. The human messages used in the experiments were generally written by strangers or created as representative examples. This means the studies did not compare AI-generated messages with support from a friend who knows the person and understands their broader circumstances. The practical takeaway is that people can learn from what AI does well. When someone is upset, ask if they want advice. If so, offer a specific, manageable next step. AI can help find useful words and possible responses, but human relationships add personal knowledge and the ability to remain involved after the message is sent. Used carefully, AI could help people become better at supporting each other.