Juxtaposing an ever-growing connectivity, a growing number of individuals are feeling disconnected and lonely. Characterized by many as the “modern loneliness epidemic,” its increasing sentiment has caught the attention of numerous professionals. It has been classified as a threat to public health by organizations and governments worldwide (Jeste et al, 2020). As this epidemic looms, people have turned to online resources and AI to develop human relationships to satisfy their need for human connection. As this changes how people interact, it also creates fertile ground for companies to extract a profit.

Accounting for the user's unending ability to customize their own personal, human-like chatbot companion to fit desired preferences and characteristics. Much like a toy, these chatbots are always there to satisfy the user's wishes, providing a sense of comfort and companionship that’s available at all times. AI companions offer a tailored experience, evolving with the user’s needs and preferences. Chatbots, much like a pet dog, offer curated signs of acceptance and unconditional support, simulating the feeling of a loving companion (Megna, 2025). Scientifically curated aspects of AI raise the question of morality within humanoid chatbots and how monetizing them worsens the already growing loneliness epidemic by providing a never-ending, virtually fabricated dopamine rush for users while companies scrape profits off the loneliness of their customers. 

As with most modern digital services, there are many ways that revenues can be generated. Recurring monthly subscriptions offer a constant revenue model and are a safe option for chatbot business, while per-message payments offer a more representative stream of money based on the user’s use of the service. Do personal data sales to third parties sneak into the mix with personal chat logs being shared to advertisers to better curate advertisements? The monetization options are endless and equally as terrifying (Labs64 GmbH, 2025).

According to an estimation from Lucintel, the global AI companion market is estimated to grow with a compound annual growth rate of 30.2% from 2024 to 2030, with a constant influx of new entrants to the market (AI Companion Market Report: Trends, n.d). At first glance, the growing market for AI companion chatbots appears lucrative, however, industries like healthcare have found beneficial applications for these virtual companions, using them to assist and engage patients in nursing homes and hospitals. In environments where staff shortages are common, AI companions help alleviate workloads, enabling caregivers to focus on critical tasks and improving overall patient care (The Medical Futurist, 2025).

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, it is crucial to carefully evaluate the pros and cons of monetizing AI companions, while considering the positive possibilities these services can offer.

References

AI agents in healthcare: What to expect? - The Medical Futurist. (2025, March 3). The Medical Futurist. https://medicalfuturist.com/ai-agents-in-healthcare-what-to-expect/

AI Companion Market Report: Trends, Forecast and Competitive Analysis to 2030. (n.d.). https://www.lucintel.com/ai-companion-market.aspx#:~:text=The%20global%20AI%20companion%20market%20is%20expected%20to%20grow%20with,mental%20health%20and%20well%2Dbeing.

Jeste, D. V., Lee, E. E., & Cacioppo, S. (2020). Battling the modern behavioral epidemic of loneliness. JAMA Psychiatry, 77(6), 553. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.0027

Labs64 GmbH. (2024, November 20). AI Chatbot Monetization: Unlocking Revenue with Labs64 NetLicensing | NetLicensing. NetLicensing. https://netlicensing.io/blog/2024/11/20/ai-chatbot-monetization/#:~:text=Examples%20include%3A,%2C%20sessions%2C%20or%20API%20calls.

Megna, M. (2025, January 2). Pet Ownership Statistics 2025. Forbes Advisor. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/pet-ownership-statistics/#:~:text=Dogs%20are%20the%20most%20popular,and%20baby%20boomers%20(24%25).