Evidence Uncertainty

Prior reviews reported potential benefits beyond loneliness, including mood, affect, communication, social interaction, companionship, physical outcomes, psychological outcomes, and broader well-being. Evidence remains limited on whether artificial agents improve depression, quality of life, and happiness. Meta-analyses of artificial agents and loneliness have reached inconsistent conclusions. Study heterogeneity is identified as one reason for inconsistent findings. Several reviews were limited by a lack of quantitative synthesis. Many prior reviews found that robotic pets, social robots, and other artificial agents can reduce loneliness.