Generation Z's Experience Using Character.ai Application to Reduce Loneliness: A Case Study of Interpersonal Communication Based on Human-Machine Communication (HMC)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.9744/joce.4.1.30-46Keywords:
Interpersonal Communication, Human Machine Communication, C.Ai, Generation Z, LonelinessAbstract
Generation Z is considered one of the loneliest generations. However, with the advancement of technology, it has become easier for Gen Z to communicate with others. In addition to social media, AI-based chatbots have become a popular option for overcoming loneliness through a form of interpersonal communication known as Human-Machine Communication (HMC). HMC-based interpersonal communication represents a significant breakthrough in the field of communication. With this, AI chatbots are now seen as more capable of engaging in communicative roles. These chatbots are increasingly accessible, with one example being the c.ai application. This study employs a qualitative approach, utilizing a case study method, to explore Generation Z's experiences in coping with loneliness through the use of Character.ai (c.ai). The app is found to help reduce feelings of loneliness, particularly during initial use. However, despite offering satisfying emotional responses, c.ai is still not considered a substitute for human interaction. If anything, c.ai was seen as a temporary solution or instant relief to reduce loneliness. Users may return to use the application, but they may also not, resulting in them searching for alternative ways to cope with their loneliness.
References
Abdussamad, Z. (2021). Buku Metode Penelitian Kualitatif. CV. Syakir Media Press. https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/juwxn
Adiningrum, R., Maharani, F., & Mohammad, W. (2023). The Perspectives of Character AI Personas Regarding Thoughts of User’s Suicide Obsession. Emika: Journal of Technology and Artificial Intelligence, 1(1), 1-7.
Afrilia, A. M., Arifina, A. S., & Rumah, P. P. (2020). Buku Ajar Komunikasi Interpersonal. Penerbit Pustaka Rumah C1nta. Google Books. https://books.google.co.id/books/about/Buku_Ajar_Komunikasi_Interpersonal.html?id=2k8MEAAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y
Anggraini, C., Ritonga, D. H., Kristina, L., Syam, M., & Kustiawan, W. (2022). Komunikasi interpersonal. Jurnal Multidisiplin Dehasen (MUDE), 1(3), 337-342. https://doi.org/10.37676/mude.v1i3.2611
Arviana, N. (2023). Komunikasi Interpersonal: Panduan Membangun Keterampilan Relasional Kontemporer. Bumi Aksara. Google Books. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=ZyfeEAAAQBAJ
Assyakurrohim, D., Ikhram, D., Sirodj, R. A., & Afgani, M. W. (2023). Metode studi kasus dalam penelitian kualitatif. Jurnal Pendidikan Sains Dan Komputer, 3(01), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.47709/jpsk.v3i01.1951
Bahtiar, H., Machmoed, H. A., & Sahib, H. (2023). Love language expressions among newlyweds and long-married couples: Interpersonal communication’s perspective. Jurnal Onoma: Pendidikan, Bahasa, dan Sastra 9(2).
Betlemidze, M. (2022). Traversing anthropocentric horizons with Her: Trans-corporeal surrogacy, enchantment, and disenchantment in human-machine assemblage. Journal of Communication Inquiry, 46(2), 206-224. https://doi.org/10.1177/01968599211041107
Brandtzaeg, P. B., Skjuve, M., & Følstad, A. (2022). My AI friend: How users of a social chatbot understand their human–AI friendship. Human Communication Research, 48(3), 404-429. https://doi.org/10.1093/hcr/hqac008
Campbell, M. (2020). Beyond conversational artificial intelligence. Computer, 53(12), 121-125. 10.1109/MC.2020.3024401
Character.ai Website Traffic, Ranking, Analytics [December 2024]. (2025). Semrush. Accessed from https://www.semrush.com/website/character.ai/overview/
CNA.id: Berita Indonesia. (2024). Studi: Remaja Jakarta kesepian di tengah ramainya media sosial, membahayakan kesehatan mental. CNA.id: Berita Indonesia, Asia Dan Dunia. https://www.cna.id/lifestyle/remaja-jakarta-kesepian-kesehatan-mental-25796
De Freitas, J., Uguralp, A. K., Uguralp, Z. O., & Stefano, P. (2024). AI companions reduce loneliness. [Working Paper, Harvard]. https://www.hbs.edu/ris/Publication%20Files/24-078_a3d2e2c7-eca1-4767-8543-122e818bf2e5.pdf
Dosovitsky, G., & Bunge, E. L. (2021). Bonding with bot: user feedback on a chatbot for social isolation. Frontiers in digital health, 3, 735053. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2021.735053
Greenman, P. S., & Johnson, S. M. (2022). Emotionally focused therapy: Attachment, connection, and health. Current opinion in psychology, 43, 146-150.
Guerrero-Sole, F. (2022). IMAGINE: An Integrated Model of Artificial Intelligence-Mediated Communication Effects. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2212.08658
Guzman, A. L., & Lewis, S. C. (2020). Artificial intelligence and communication: A human–machine communication research agenda. New media & society, 22(1), 70-86. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444819858691
Killian, K. D. (2024). Why Are Millennials the Loneliest Generation. Psychology Today. Accessed from https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/intersections/202403/why-are-millennials-the-loneliest-generation
Laksana, N. Y., & Fadhilah, A. (2021). Computer-mediated communication and interpersonal communication in social media Twitter among adolescents. Journal of Social Studies (JSS), 17(1), 65-78. DOI: 10.21831/jss.v17i1.39015
Lim, M. H., Rodebaugh, T. L., Zyphur, M. J., & Gleeson, J. F. (2016). Loneliness over time: The crucial role of social anxiety. Journal of abnormal psychology, 125(5), 620. DOI: 10.1037/abn0000162
Ling, H. Y., & Bjorling, E. A. (2020). Sharing stress with a robot: what would a robot say?. Human-Machine Communication, 1, 133-159. DOI: 10.30658/hmc.1.8
Mason, A. J., & Carr, C. T. (2022). Toward a theoretical framework of relational maintenance in computer-mediated communication. Communication Theory, 32(2), 243-264. https://doi.org/10.1093/ct/qtaa035
Meshram, S., Naik, N., Megha, V. R., More, T., & Kharche, S. (2021). Conversational AI: chatbots. In 2021 International Conference on Intelligent Technologies (CONIT) (pp. 1-6). IEEE. DOI: 10.1109/CONIT51480.2021.9498508.
Nurahma, G. A., & Hendriani, W. (2021). Tinjauan sistematis studi kasus dalam penelitian kualitatif. Mediapsi, 7(2), 119-129. DOI: 10.21776/ub.mps.2021.007.02.4
Permana, V. G., Mar’at, S., & Soetikno, N. (2021). Loneliness of Z Generation Adolescents in the Covid-19 Pandemic: Descriptive Study. In 1st Tarumanagara International Conference on Medicine and Health (TICMIH 2021) (pp. 159-163). Atlantis Press. DOI: 10.2991/ahsr.k.211130.027
Perlman, D., & Peplau, L. A. (1982). Theoretical approaches to loneliness. Loneliness: A sourcebook of current theory, research and therapy, 36, 123-34. https://peplau.psych.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/141/2017/07/Perlman-Peplau-98.pdf
Prahl, A., & Edwards, A. P. (2023). Defining Dialogues: Tracing the Evolution of Human-Machine Communication. Human-Machine Communication, 6(1), 1. DOI: 10.30658/hmc.6.1
Pramana, P., Priastuty, C. W., Utari, P., Aziz, R. A., & Purwati, E. (2023). Beradaptasi dengan perubahan teknologi: kecerdasan buatan dan evolusi komunikasi interpersonal. Jurnal Ilmiah Dinamika Sosial, 7(2), 214-225. https://doi.org/10.38043/jids.v7i2.4909
Priya, A. (2021). Case study methodology of qualitative research: Key attributes and navigating the conundrums in its application. Sociological Bulletin, 70(1), 94-110. DOI: 10.1177/0038022920970318
Rich, E. and Knight, K. (3rd ed.). (2009). Artificial Intelligence. McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Limited. http://103.83.136.203:802/KDK-%20DATA%20CENTER/2.3)%20Knowledge%20Resources%20for%20Library%20Enrichment/E%20books/CT-IT%20Department/VII%20and%20VIII%20Sem/artificial-intelligence-rich-knight.pdf
Russell, S. J., & Norvig, P. (2021). Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach, 4th, global edition Pearson. Pearson Publishing. http://lib.ysu.am/disciplines_bk/efdd4d1d4c2087fe1cbe03d9ced67f34.pdf
Roberts, T., & Krueger, J. (2021). Loneliness and the emotional experience of absence. The Southern Journal of Philosophy, 59(2), 185-204. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjp.12387
Roem, E. R. (2019). Komunikasi Interpersonal. CV IRDH. http://repo.unand.ac.id/33793/1/Buku%20Monograf%20KOMUNIKASI%20INTERPERSONAL.pdf
Salma, D. F. (2023). Gen Z dan Millennial: Lebih Bahagia Single atau Berpasangan? IDN Times. Accessed from https://www.idntimes.com/life/relationship/dina-fadillah-salma-2/lebih-bahagia-single-atau-punya-pasangan?page=all
Skjuve, M., & Brandzaeg, P. B. (2019). Measuring user experience in chatbots: An approach to interpersonal communication competence. In Internet Science: INSCI 2018 International Workshops, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 24–26, 2018, Revised Selected Papers 5 (pp. 113-120). Springer International Publishing. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-17705-8_10
Teneva, N., & Lemay Jr, E. P. (2020). Projecting loneliness into the past and future: Implications for self-esteem and affect. Motivation and Emotion, 44(5), 772-784. DOI: 10.1007/s11031-020-09842-6
Pantow, M., Kawengian, D. D., & Marentek, E. A. (2017). Pola komunikasi antar persona dosen dengan mahasiswa dalam menentukan keberhasilan mahasiswa (Studi pada Akademi Keperawatan Bethesda Tomohon). Acta Diurna Komunikasi, 6(4).
van Tonder, J. I., Jordaan, J., & Esterhuyse, K. (2023). Self-esteem, interpersonal communication competence, and media and technology usage as predictors of loneliness among university students. SAGE Open, 13(1), 21582440221148379. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440221148379
West, D. A., Kellner, R., & Moore-West, M. (1986). The effects of loneliness: a review of the literature. Comprehensive psychiatry, 27(4), 351-363. DOI: 10.1016/0010-440x(86)90011-8
Westerman, D., Edwards, A. P., Edwards, C., Luo, Z., & Spence, P. R. (2020). I-It, I-Thou, I-Robot: The perceived humanness of AI in human-machine communication. Communication Studies, 71(3), 393-408. https://doi.org/10.1080/10510974.2020.1749683
Wuryadinata, V. (2023). Proses Self-Disclosure Pengalaman Toxic Relationship Dalam Hubungan Berpacaran. [Skripsi, Universitas Kristen Petra].
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Gabriella Valentina Mamarimbing, Lady Joanne Tjahyana, Daniel Budiana
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This open-access article is distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY).
