Gen Zs, millennials are using AI for emotional support, calling it ‘more effective’ than a pet: study

Peace from the pet? Forget it ed that!

Puppies are precious, cats are cute and yes – bunnies make things jump.

But when it comes to keeping Gen Z and Gen Y company, a fraction of twenty- and thirty-somethings are now looking to technology.

“One in 10 Americans are turning to AI for emotional support,” researchers from First Saturday Lime, the eco-friendly bug protection professionals, said in a buzzy new report.

Experts surveyed 1,000 people nationwide, everyone from Zoomers to Boomers, and found that 11% of millennials and 10% of Gen Zers prefer artificial intelligence to comfort creatures like dogs, birds, fish and rabbits.

“Interestingly,” the study authors added, “18% of these AI users found their virtual companions more effective than traditional ones. [emotional support animals].

It seems that if you’re not already tapping robots to handle tasks in today’s digital age, you’re barking up the wrong tree.

From grocery shopping to wedding planning to perfect matchmaking, sophisticated systems are dominating everyday life – especially for young people.

Instead of giving up on his search for love, Alexander Zhadan, 23, broke out his laptop, logged into ChatGPT and asked the software to scan 5,239 Tinder profiles to find “the one”. And, of course, the bot gave Zhadan a suitable fiancé.

Upper West Side bride Megan Riehl, 28, along with her groom Nate, also commissioned the cyber assistant to draw stunning invitation art for their wedding in September 2023. Using ChatGPT’s image generator, DALL-E , instead of a human artist saved NYC girlfriends a staggering $1,200.

“It was a good way to save a good chunk of change,” Riehl previously told The Post.

And advances in AI may soon save new mothers from the pangs of postpartum depression.

“This project will develop a logical chatbot structure that is based on research with a cross-section of mothers,” recently announced specialists from the University of Texas. “Thus, increasing our ability to better understand what kind of support they require from care providers.”

But the know-it-all robot can’t do everything, of course.

And when it comes to providing emotional support, dogs are still king, according to FirstSaturdayLime. The data showed that Gen Z is 133% more likely to choose a dog over a cat to relieve stress and anxiety.

But don’t get it i clucked up – the cheerful chickens are very much on the rise.

“Chickens have gained a fan base among young Americans,” the researchers said, “with 19% of millennials and 18% of Gen Z favoring them as emotional support animals.”

Jana McDaniel, CFO of FirstSaturdayLime, said “emotional support chickens can provide a sense of companionship, stress relief and a calming presence” because “their gentle natures and unique personalities help reduce anxiety and promote emotional well-being.”

“Chickens are relatively easy to care for,” she added. “Making them a great option for those looking for an unconventional emotional support animal that also offers practical benefits, such as laying eggs.”