When AI Becomes a Confidant: Self-Disclosure, Emotional Support, and Implications for Counseling

Abstract

The rapid development of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed human–technology interaction, including the emerging use of AI as a “confidant” for disclosing personal experiences and seeking emotional support. This article conceptually examines the mechanisms of self-disclosure and emotional support in human–AI relationships and their implications for counseling. A conceptual literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed literature published between 2020 and 2026 on human–AI interaction, self-disclosure, anthropomorphism, perceived empathy, emotional support, and mental health. The literature was analyzed through thematic conceptual synthesis to identify and integrate relationships across key constructs. The findings indicate that AI accessibility, responsiveness, and perceived nonjudgmental interaction can foster psychological safety, thereby facilitating self-disclosure. Relevant and supportive AI responses may subsequently promote perceived responsiveness, perceived empathy, perceived intimacy, and perceived emotional support. Based on these findings, this article proposes the AI-Mediated Self-Disclosure and Emotional Support (AI-SDES) Framework to explain how AI may acquire a confidant-like role. Although AI can provide an initial reflective space and potentially facilitate help-seeking, important limitations remain regarding authentic empathy, therapeutic competence, privacy, and emotional dependency. AI should therefore be positioned as a complementary technology that supports, rather than replaces, professional counseling relationships.