Abstract
Companionship and therapy have become the number one use case for Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) in 225. Ease of use, availability, and adaptability are key features that make it an attractive tool to help with wellness. Gen-AI diminishes barriers that make traditional measures like therapy inaccessible (e.g. financial costs, stigmas, time availability). The irony: Gen-AI is a double-edged sword – while it is helping, it is hindering society due to improper implementations and inadequate change management in knowledge working environments. Gen-AI is proving to be a disruptor that can harm well-being through contributing to employee loneliness. Through objective assessment, we explore the archetypes of Gen-AI as a companion and therapist to mitigate workplace loneliness for employee and organizational health. This paper investigates literature and utilizes public data to unpack Gen-AI as a dual force. Through assessment of current use cases, appropriate models using Gen-AI can be developed using Design Science.
Recommended Citation
Patel, Roshni; Peko, Gabrielle; and Sundaram, David, "Companion and Therapist: Gen-AI as a Catalyst for
Ameliorating Workplace Loneliness" (2025). ACIS 2025 Proceedings. 251.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/acis2025/251