The Global AI Intimacy Study 2026

1. 01

   70.8%

   Not AI, but belonging

   70.8% in Japan (N=834) named community and societal belonging as an area where loneliness will grow over the next 5–10 years. Belonging is a top-three area in five of six markets.

   Loneliness
2. 02

   4 of 6

   AI is not the main fear

   AI-mediated interaction ranked last among areas of growing loneliness in four of six markets: US, Germany, Indonesia and Japan.

   AI Attitudes
3. 03

   61.3%

   East and West differ

   61.3% in Indonesia and 48.3% in Hong Kong expect AI intimacy companions to improve happiness through emotional support. In the UK, 39.6% expect them to make it worse.

   Cross-Cultural
4. 04

   33%

   Hong Kong is at a tipping point

   Among 18–34s, 33% would consider using an AI intimacy doll and 33.2% would not.

   Adoption
5. 05

   27.8%

   Young adults are more open

   In Japan, 27.8% of 18–34s would consider an AI intimacy doll, against 16% of the general population.

   Generational
6. 06

   69.2%

   Private use, public judgement

   69.2% of UK 18–34s would be uncomfortable if a friend or family member used an AI intimacy doll, the highest in the study. In Hong Kong the figure is 40%.

   Social Stigma
7. 07

   54.3%

   Work and family loneliness

   Workplace and professional networks rank second in the UK (54.3%) and in Hong Kong (53.0%). Family connections are the top area in Indonesia (61.1%).

   Loneliness
8. 08

   36%

   Men and women differ

   In Indonesia, 36% of men aged 18–34 and 24.7% of women prefer that a partner's outside intimacy be with an AI intimacy doll rather than another person (N=2,960 for all 18–34s). Men were up to 1.5 times more likely than women to say so.

   Gender

Data: YouGov research commissioned by Starxgen. Commentary and opinions are Starxgen's own.