AI and the Evolution of Human Connection – Insights from Soul Zhang Lu

Is artificial intelligence helping or hurting human-to-human interactions? In a bid to answer this and other questions pertaining to the use of AI, the CEO of Soul, Zhang Lu, asked her research team to conduct a survey.

A similar survey was also conducted in 2024; together, these two reports offer clarity on how Gen Z is adapting to the increasing impact of AI in society. To compile the 2025 Gen Z AI Engagement Report, Just So Soul, the research wing of Soul App, relied on the survey responses of well over 3600 youngsters.

The first order of business was to understand the extent of engagement with AI. Strictly in terms of AI for social interactions, the survey revealed that a staggering 80% of Gen Zers rely on the technology to form real-world connections. This figure alone busts right through the fear that AI may end up isolating instead of uniting its young users.

When quizzed about how AI is helping them to forge real life connections, the young respondents of Soul Zhang Lu’s survey explained that the technology helps them to connect with people who have similar interests and inclinations. But the best part is that AI’s job does not end there.

The youngsters added that AI also helps in actual interactions with intuitive response suggestions. This helps users communicate more seamlessly. It bears mentioning that Zoomers are often accused of lacking the communication skills that their predecessors had. If there is any truth to this claim, a helping hand to continue the conversation must certainly help.

Having said that, the respondents of Soul Zhang Lu’s survey also stated that these response-suggestions not only help them to further the conversation but in time, also help them to build their interpersonal skills. In other words, AI is enhancing how Gen Z interacts not just with technology but also with their peers. In fact, the technology is actually helping young people connect, communicate, and even build friendships in ways that were previously unimaginable.

Another aspect of human-AI communication is that of emotional support. Nobody can deny that over the last decade or so, traditional support structures have all but collapsed, leaving behind a gaping vacuum that youngsters are finding hard to get through.

The internet is riddled with articles and stories about how Gen Z is yearning for emotional connection and support, and the lack of which is pushing them towards heightened anxiety and depression. So, it certainly comes as no surprise that Gen is willing to embrace AI-friendships with open arms. While this technology is by no means a replacement for human connections, it can certainly serve as an alternative when there is nobody else to talk to.

This sentiment was evident in the fact that around 70% of the individuals who participated in Soul Zhang Lu’s survey admitted that they were keen to befriend AI. Surprisingly, men were more interested in human-machine friendships than women, which in itself quells the common assumption that women seek emotional support more than men.

Of course, apart from social connections and interactions, AI has also turned into an all-pervasive force in the professional and academic lives of Zoomers. For example, an astounding 95% of the surveyed individuals said that they were actively using AI for work or studies. Now, this is not surprising given the rapid pace at which the technology has developed over the last 2 years.

But it gets better – About 80% of the survey respondents said that AI had enhanced their productivity by a good 50%, while nearly 31% claimed that the efficiency had been doubled all thanks to the technology. Around half of those who participated in Soul Zhang Lu’s study said that they were using AI products frequently in their day-to-day lives.

The most notable observation made by the team of Soul Zhang Lu was that youngsters are not just using AI to help them in their current line of work. These youngsters are harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to generate a second income and boost their entrepreneurial streak. For instance, almost 20% of those surveyed stated that they had already managed to monetize AI in some form.

Gen Zers reported using AI in a host of innovative ways to make money; from content creation to automation tools, the technology is being used to start side businesses that people would not have thought of on their own.

In fact, such is the confidence that these youngsters have in AI that almost 23% stated that AI can be used to create a whole new income stream while nearly 60% stated that the technology will end up creating new job opportunities.

While not all Zoomers see AI as a disruptor, many are understandably concerned about the level of disruption that the technology is likely to bring to the employment market. For instance, about 40% of young people report experiencing AI-related anxiety. In particular, college students fear that AI will have a bearing on future job prospects.

Then, there are concerns about how AI will impact privacy and the spread of false information. Primarily, these concerns stem from the fact that AI technology is being developed at breakneck speed. This has left many wondering if humans will have the time to adjust to the radical change that AI is bound to bring about.

That said, once again, Gen Z is displaying its optimistic streak when it comes to these worries. Instead of letting the concerns bog them down, they want to prepare themselves for the change. So, about 30% of the youngsters who responded to Soul Zhang Lu’s survey stated that they were already actively learning AI-related skills.

When these findings of Soul Zhang Lu’s study are summed up, this is what it all boils down to: As AI evolves, so too will its role in human interaction. Yes, there are certain concerns about the impact of the technology that undoubtedly have to be addressed. But, overall, Zoomers believe that AI will help more than hurt, and this positivity is likely to lead to enhanced human-machine interaction, improvement in human-human communication through AI, and the kind of collaboration between people and technology the likes of which has never been seen before.

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