AI assistants and companions are online chatbot tools that use generative artificial intelligence to understand human languages and mimic human-like conversations.
AI companions are typically positioned as sources of connection, friendship and emotional support, and are often designed to feel personal or relational. In contrast, AI assistants are generally framed as functional tools for performing tasks, obtaining information and supporting learning.
The boundaries between these tool types are increasingly becoming blurred, with both offering features such as memory, personalisation and human-like interaction. Both AI assistants and companions have become a common feature in many of our lives.
A total of 1,950 children aged 10 to 17, living in Australia, participated in the survey, between 2 February and 4 March 2026.
