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Are AI Companions Replacing Cuddle Therapists?

For thousands of years, humans have looked for connection. Whether through romantic partnership, friendship, or communal ritual, we have depended on each other not just for survival, but for meaning. Now we are standing at a new crossroads where artificial intelligence is stepping into the realm of human intimacy. AI companions, such as Replika, are not just chatbots—they are designed to provide companionship. They remember our conversations, offer words of encouragement, and, in some cases, even express affection. But can they truly replace human connection? More specifically, can they replace the kind of care and comfort that professional cuddle therapists provide?

As a cuddle therapist, I offer people something very simple but deeply necessary: human touch. We know that touch releases oxytocin which lowers stress and fosters feelings of belonging. In a world that more and more prioritizes the digital over the physical, the work of cuddle therapists has become even more essential. However, I can’t ignore the growing role AI companions play in providing emotional support.

Like my favorite author, Yuval Noah Harari, says in Homo Deus, technology is no longer just a tool—it is becoming an active participant in our lives. "The line between organic and artificial is dissolving," he writes, highlighting how humans and machines are starting to evolve together. AI companions, in many ways, are not just digital assistants; they are becoming emotional support tools. They can be programmed to listen without judgment, to provide comfort when no one else is there, and to reinforce the illusion of unconditional presence. But can this replace real intimacy?

The Shared Values Between AI Companions and Cuddle Therapy

AI companions and cuddle therapy share a key objective: reducing loneliness. Ironically, people feel more isolated than ever. Social media was supposed to bring us closer, yet it often creates a void. AI companions step in, with the promise of constant availability, nonjudgmental listening, and a sense of continuity. Cuddle therapy does the same, but through presence and touch.

Both AI and cuddle therapy also emphasize emotional safety. A client may feel more comfortable expressing vulnerabilities to an AI that will never betray their secrets, just as they feel safe in the structured, professional space of a cuddle therapy session. Additionally, both services appeal to those who struggle with traditional human relationships—whether due to trauma, neurodivergence, or social anxiety.

However, while AI companions engage through words, body language and touch remain absent. Harari warns in 21 Lessons for the 21st Century that human experiences are increasingly being reduced to data: "As we become better at understanding human emotions, AI will surpass us in recognizing, predicting, and even manipulating them." AI can generate comforting words and simulate empathy, but can it truly feel? Can it replace the healing warmth of another person?

The Rise of AI Intimacy—and Its Dangers

While AI companions are improving, their evolution has not been without issues. There have been cases where AI conversations have misled users, sometimes with devastating consequences. Algorithms designed to maintain engagement have, at times, encouraged bad behavior, even leading to acts of violence—such as the case of a man who attemped to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II

This growing emotional dependence on AI is not limited to isolated cases. The article She Is in Love With ChatGPT, published by The New York Times, describes the deep attachment a woman formed with the chatbot, to the point of crying when ChatGPT reset and forgot their conversations. This reveals how easily humans can project emotions onto AI, blurring the line between artificial and real intimacy. If people can feel heartbreak over losing an AI’s memory, what does this say about our emotional needs? Are we seeking connection in places that can never truly reciprocate, or are we adapting to a world where human relationships feel increasingly inaccessible?

Technology is getting closer to us. Social media competes for our attention, but AI is now competing for our intimacy. A person may tell an AI things they would never tell their closest friends. And while this may provide comfort, it also risks deepening the divide between human-to-human interaction. If people become too accustomed to AI companionship, will they lose the ability to navigate real-world relationships?

Like Harari suggests, we must consider whether our increasing reliance on AI is reshaping not only our behaviors but our very sense of self. "Humans have been hacking their own lives for centuries," he writes. "But AI is now doing the hacking for us." This is a crucial point—AI is not just serving us; it’s shaping us. If we are not careful, we may find ourselves preferring artificial companionship over genuine human bonds simply because it is easier.

Why AI Cannot Replace Cuddle Therapy

Despite these advancements, AI remains limited. AI companionship might offer a comforting presence in the digital space, but it cannot provide the physical, biological, and emotional benefits of human touch. Oxytocin—the "love hormone"—is barely present in AI interactions. Cuddle therapy works because it engages the body as much as the mind.

I have seen firsthand how powerful human touch can be. Clients often tell me they feel calmer, more grounded, and even more confident after a cuddle therapy session. This is not just a psychological effect—It’s biological. The human body is wired to respond positively to touch, something that AI cannot replicate. No matter how advanced AI becomes, it will always lack the warmth, the heartbeat, the breath of another person.

As Harari reminds us, "Feelings are biochemical algorithms." Our need for physical connection is embedded in our biology. While AI can simulate conversation, it cannot trigger the same neurochemical responses as human touch. The embrace of a caring person, the warmth of shared presence—these are things that technology, no matter how advanced, cannot replicate.

So, are AI companions replacing cuddle therapists? No, but robots might—someday. If robotic technology advances to the point where it can simulate human warmth and touch, then perhaps it could pose a real challenge. However, that day is a way off. For now, AI remains limited to words, and words alone cannot replace the profound human experience of touch.

Cuddle therapy is not just about comfort; it is about connection, presence, and the irreplaceable healing power of human touch. AI may continue to evolve, but for now, no machine can replicate the simple, profound act of being held by another person. Ready to experience it for yourself? Click here to explore cuddle therapy and discover how it can support your journey toward greater connection and well-being.

By Melissa Franks

Melissa Franks is a certified Cuddle Therapist based in Brooklyn, NY, practicing since 2020. She is the CEO and Founder of Embrace Club, a holistic community and marketplace dedicated to fostering human connection. Originally from Costa Rica, Melissa is passionate about creating safe, platonic spaces for emotional well-being—and she’s also a proud cat lover.