New research from Use.AI suggests that conversational AI is emerging as a low‑friction space for men to rehearse emotional expression, navigate relationships, and build self‑awareness, often in place of traditional interpersonal support.
A growing number of men are turning to artificial intelligence not for productivity or entertainment, but for help understanding and expressing emotions. According to a recent Use.AI survey of 1,142 men aged 22 to 45 across the United States and the United Kingdom, AI tools are increasingly being used as private, judgment‑free environments for emotional reflection and communication practice.
The most striking finding concerns comfort and disclosure. 78% of respondents reported feeling more comfortable discussing personal feelings with AI tools than with friends or family. Rather than signalling a rejection of human connection, the data suggest that AI is functioning as an intermediary space, one that lowers the social cost of emotional disclosure and allows users to articulate thoughts before bringing them into real-world relationships.
Use cases cluster around relationships and communication. 63% of respondents said they had used AI to seek advice on sensitive relationship issues, including conflict resolution, emotional expression, and dating concerns. For many, the appeal lies in structure rather than validation: 55% reported that AI feedback helped them identify recurring patterns in their communication or emotional responses, supporting both reflection and behavioural change.
The findings point to a generational recalibration of how men approach emotional development. Where earlier models emphasised peer discussion, mentorship, or self-help literature, AI now offers on-demand guidance that is immediate, private, and procedural. More than two‑thirds of respondents said they were actively interested in improving their ability to express emotions clearly and constructively, suggesting unmet demand rather than passive curiosity.
Age differences reinforce this interpretation. Among younger men aged 22 to 30, 42% reported daily or near-daily use of AI tools for personal development, often focused on emotional awareness and communication rehearsal. Men aged 31 to 45 engaged less frequently, but still reported targeted use around understanding emotional triggers and navigating interpersonal conflict.
One recurring pattern involves rehearsal rather than substitution. 48% of respondents said AI allowed them to practise difficult conversations in a low‑pressure environment, while 31% said this preparation encouraged them to initiate conversations they might otherwise avoid. In this sense, AI appears to function less as an emotional surrogate and more as a preparatory scaffold.
Taken together, the data suggest that conversational AI is filling a gap left by long‑standing norms around masculinity and emotional restraint. Rather than replacing human relationships, these tools offer men a socially neutral space to experiment with vulnerability, language, and self‑understanding. As AI becomes more embedded in everyday life, its role as an intermediary in emotional development may provide insight into evolving definitions of emotional literacy and relational competence.
About Use.AI:
Use.AI is a universal AI assistant designed to provide instant access to the world’s most advanced large language models, including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, DeepSeek, and others, all within a single interface. It supports personal, professional, and creative problem-solving through a clean, minimalist design with voice, image, and file input, enabling users to delegate cognitive tasks, plan, learn, and communicate more effectively. Founded in 2025, Use.AI aims to make AI-powered assistance accessible and practical for everyday life.
Use.AI is a universal AI assistant designed to provide instant access to the world’s most advanced large language models, including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, DeepSeek, and others, all within a single interface. It supports personal, professional, and creative problem-solving through a clean, minimalist design with voice, image, and file input, enabling users to delegate cognitive tasks, plan, learn, and communicate more effectively. Founded in 2025, Use.AI aims to make AI-powered assistance accessible and practical for everyday life.